The government of the Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR) said in a statement yesterday that it “resolutely supports and backs” yesterday’s adoption of a decision by the National People’s Congress (NPC) to improve the electoral system of the Hong Kong SAR.
The statement was released by the Macau Government Information Bureau (GCS).
“An electoral system is a crucial component of a political system. From a constitutional perspective, to improve the electoral systems of the [nation’s two] SARs is a duty of the country’s authorities in exercising their overall jurisdiction over the SARs,” the statement said.
“As the country’s highest organ of state power, the NPC has made the decision to improve the electoral system of Hong Kong, in line with Hong Kong’s practical needs, the statement said, adding that “such effort is a paramount step in safeguarding the country’s sovereignty, security and development interests, while adhering to, and enhancing, the fundamental principle of ‘One Country, Two Systems’, and ensuring the steady progress of its implementation.”
In its statement, the local government also said that “the step taken by the NPC carries great significance, and will be of profound influence in ensuring the long-term stability and prosperity of Hong Kong, and the fundamental welfare of Hong Kong citizens.”
The statement pointed out that since its return to the motherland on December 20, 1999, the MSAR “has implemented comprehensively and accurately the principle of ‘One Country, Two Systems,’ ‘Macau people governing Macau’, and the enjoyment of a high degree of autonomy.”
‘Patriots governing Macau’
The statement also underlined that the MSAR government “has closely adhered to the fundamental principle of ‘patriots governing Macau’.”
The statement emphasised that the MSAR government has been doing its utmost to consolidate the principle of firmly upholding the ‘One Country’ framework, while respecting the differences defined by the ‘Two Systems’, as well as steadfastly endorsing the principle of protecting the central government’s overall jurisdiction over the MSAR, while safeguarding the high degree of autonomy enjoyed by the MSAR.
Macau characteristics
The local government also said in the statement that it resolutely protects the constitutional order outlined in the nation’s Constitution China and the Basic Law of the MSAR, paving a path for the successful implementation of the “One Country, Two Systems” principle with Macau characteristics.
The local government pledged that it will continue to unite all sectors in civil society with the aim of ensuring the perpetuation of Macau’s long-standing patriotic tradition, safeguarding of national sovereignty, promotion of national security and national development interests, and Macau’s long-term stability and prosperity, as well as the optimisation of the “One Country, Two Systems” principle.
The government said it was determined to ensure the steady progress of the “One Country, Two Systems” principle with Macau characteristics.
A huge screen shows the result of the vote on changes to Hong Kong’s election system during the closing session of the National People’s Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing yesterday – 2,895 votes in favour, none against and just one abstention. – Xinhua
