The rule of rule is one of the fundamental values of Macau, the foundation of its stability and social development, as well as “the important cornerstone” of the successful implementation of the One Country, Two Systems principle in Macau, Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng said yesterday.
Ho made the remarks in his speech during a ceremony at the Macau Cultural Centre (CCM) which marked the formal start of the 2022-23 Judicial Year.
The chief executive stressed that it continues to be the government’s unwavering position to defend judicial independence and impartiality. Ho also said that within the framework of the Macau Basic Law, the special administrative region’s judicial branch has effectively protected residents’ rights and legitimate interests, defended equity and justice, and maintained social order, thereby contributing to the successful practice of the One Country, Two Systems principle in Macau.
Ho also said that safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty, security and development interests is the foremost purpose of the One Country, Two Systems principle. Ho stressed that the stronger the ‘One Country’ is, the more evident the advantages of the ‘Two Systems’ are.
Ho underlined that due to the volatile and complex international situation in the past few years, Macau’s system and capacity of safeguarding national security needed to be further strengthened. Consequently, the chief executive said, the executive and judicial branches of the Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR) have the joint responsibility to prevent and preclude, with resolve, interference and sabotage by external forces and to firmly safeguard the security and stability of the nation and the MSAR.
Ho also said that in the new Judicial Year the local government will continue to defend the rule of law and law-based governance, respect and safeguard judicial independence, actively cooperate with the judicial branch, strengthen the training of judicial personnel and assist in the upgrading of the “hardware and software” of the judicial branch.
The chief executive also pledged the continuation of joint efforts by the local government and judiciary to ensure the stable and enduring implementation of the One Country, Two Systems principle with Macau characteristics.
Ho also said that defending the rule of law and safeguarding of legal justice requires joint efforts by the judicial branch and the legal sector. Ho also conveyed the local government’s “sincere gratitude” to the special administrative region’s judges, public prosecutors, other judicial personnel and lawyers for their “impartial” work.
Court of Final Appeal (TUI) President Sam Hou Fai, Public Prosecutor-General Ip Son Sang and Macau Lawyers Association (AAM) President Jorge Neto Valente also addressed the ceremony which, according to the Macau Government Information Bureau (GCS), was attended by 330 people, including representatives from the Central People’s Government Liaison Office and Foreign Ministry Commission as well as principal officials of the local government, lawmakers, lawyers, civic leaders, judges, and prosecutors.
Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng addresses yesterday’s ceremony marking the start of the 2022-23 Judicial Year at the Macau Cultural Centre (CCM) in Nape. – Xinhua
