Macau was under Portuguese rule from 1557 until 1999. During the final period of colonial administration prior to the handover to China, Portugal retained only limited numbers of military personnel in Macau for liaison and support purposes; the last major units having been withdrawn following the Carnation Revolution of 1974. The Macao Garrison of the People's Liberation Army was established in 1999. Military installations Fortaleza do Monte 1616–1762 Barra Fort — 1620s it once had 22 cannons and now site of Pousada De São Tiago Macau São Francisco Barracks 1864 — now home to the Office of the Secretary for Security Mong-Há Fort 1864–1960s — fort consisted of barracks with 10 artillery pieces Army Historic The permanent Portuguese military garrison of Macau dates from March 1691, replacing the employment as needed of sailors from warships based in the colony. During much of the colonial period, the Portuguese garrison of Macau comprised a mixture of units from Portugal itself, African troops from Mozambique and locally recruited indigenous soldiers. Between 1784 and 1810, sepoys from Portuguese India were used to augment the regular troops. The colonial troops, whether Chinese, Indian or African, had Portuguese officers and some NCOs. In accordance with general Portuguese colonial practice, they served in units designated as Caçadores (light infantry). Prior to 1914, a pale blue-grey zouave style uniform was worn by the Mozambiquean askaris with red fezzes and sashes for parade. The indigenous Macau units wore Chinese pattern dress of the same colour with conical headdresses. 1936–40 In 1936 the garrison consisted of 497 men - 22 officers, 35 NCO's and 440 soldiers; including 224 native Caçadores. The total was increased to 797 men by 1940. They were organised as follows: 1 European infantry company 1 European artillery company 1 heavy machine-gun company 2 native companies 1 depot section 1941–45 Following the surrender of Hong Kong in December 1941 the Japanese respected Portuguese neutrality. However, although Japan did not formally occupy Macau, Japanese troops transited the territory at will. During World War II, the Portuguese military units stationed in Macau were: 1 Portuguese infantry company up to the start of World War II replaced by- 1st Mozambique Light Infantry (Mozambique Caçadores) Company 2nd Mozambique Light Infantry (Mozambique Caçadores) Company 1 Portuguese artillery company (Companhia de Artilharia) 1 heavy machine gun infantry company (Companhia de Metralhadoras) 2 native infantry companies (Companhia Indigena de Caçadores) 1 depot section military