On June 18, 2000 (May 17, 2000 in the lunar calendar), unemployed workers in Macao demonstrated. Macao returned to the motherland on December 20, 1999. In the years before the handover, Macao's economy continued to decline, with negative growth for many consecutive years. From 1996 to 1999, GDP grew negatively for four consecutive years. The unemployment rate was high. In 1999, the unemployment rate was as high as 6.4%. Residents' income declined. The monthly working income of the employed population in 1999 was lower than that in 1996. The overall economy was sluggish, the business environment deteriorated, the law and order were not calm, and investors were deterred. On June 18, 2000, unemployed workers in Macao demonstrated.