The Macao Handover Ceremony was conducted by the President of the Republic of Portugal, Jorge Sampaio, and the President of the People's Republic of China. Jiang Zemin, at the site of the Macao Handover Ceremony before midnight on 19th of December 1999. The flags of Portugal and Leal Senado were lowered, and the flags of China and Macao Special Administrative Region were raised. At midnight on 20th of December, the flying of the national flag of China at the site marked the end of the Macao Handover Ceremony.