The government of the Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR) and the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China in the MSAR yesterday voiced resolute objection to the so-called annual report on Macau issued by the European Union (EU).
The MSAR government said in a statement that the amendments to the Law on Safeguarding National Security have drawn extensively on the legislative experience of other jurisdictions, taken into full consideration the legal tradition and the actual situation of Macau ‘s society, and strictly observed the provisions of relevant international human rights conventions.
The amendments to the Chief Executive Election Law and the Legislative Assembly Election Law are not only necessary to implement the principle of “patriots administering Macau “ and safeguard national security, but also contribute to fine-tuning the relevant electoral system and better guaranteeing residents’ exercise of electoral rights, the MSAR government said.
The statement also noted that in the past 25 years since the return of Macau to the motherland, the principle of “One Country, Two Systems” and the Basic Law of the MSAR have been successfully implemented, which is a basic fact that cannot be denied by the EU.
Pointing out that Macau’s affairs are China’s internal affairs, with which the EU has no right to intervene, the MSAR government said the publication of the so-called annual report lacks a legitimate basis in international law. It also expressed hope that the EU will do more positive and beneficial things and take concrete actions to promote the development of relations between Macau and the EU.
A spokesperson for the commissioner’s office noted that this year marks the 25th anniversary of Macau ‘s return to the motherland, adding that over the past 25 years, the successful practice of “One Country, Two Systems” with Macau characteristics has yielded fruitful results.
Macau ‘s economy has achieved leap-forward development, its society has maintained long-term stability, its people’s lives have improved, its diverse cultures have embraced each other, and its international influence and popularity have increased significantly. Macau has developed into an international metropolis, and these facts cannot be changed by the lies, smears and political maneuvers of any external forces, said the spokesperson.
The spokesperson stressed that the Chinese government is firmly determined to implement fully and accurately “One Country, Two Systems” and has a rock-solid will to safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests.
The commissioner’s office urged the EU to get a clear understanding of the situation, position itself correctly, and immediately stop interfering in Macau affairs and China’s internal affairs in any form.
– Xinhua, MPD
