The Baishaling Incident, also known as the Battle of Passaleão (or Pakshanlan), was a conflict between Portugal and China over Macau in August 1849. The Chinese were defeated in the only military confrontation, but the Portuguese called off further punitive measures after a naval tragedy killed about 200 sailors. Now in control of the fort but unable to hold it, Mesquita had the guns spiked and exploded the powder magazines. Although Mesquita was treated as a hero in the twentieth century, both in Portugal and in Macau, he was not immediately recognised for the valour of his actions.