Macau, formerly Portuguese, but now a special region of China (similar to Hong Kong, China), has a National Olympic Committee (NOC) that is affiliated with numerous International Federations (IFs). The committee was founded in December 1987 and was recognized by the Olympic Council of Asia in December 1989 in Bali, Indonesia. However, it is not recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) because of the current Olympic Charter that requires NOCs to be an independent state recognized by the international community. Although other NOCs, like that of Hong Kong, China, do not meet these requirements either, it is unlikely Macau will be represented at future Olympics. Of note, Macau has competed at the Paralympic Games and at the 2008 Beijing Olympics in the demonstration sport of Wushu as well as at the Asian Games. Macau hosted the fourth East Asian Games in 2005 and the first Lusophony Games in 2006, which are for Portuguese-speaking nations.
