The Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People’s Republic of China expresses its strong opposition to claims made in an annual report issued by bodies of the European Union (EU).

The “Macao Special Administrative Region: Annual Report 2017” contains groundless and baseless claims, and made inappropriate comments about Macao’s internal affairs.

Macao’s internal affairs are a domestic matter for China: foreign countries have no right to interfere in China’s domestic affairs.

Since its establishment, the Macao SAR has been strictly implementing the principle of “One country, two systems”, “Macao people governing Macao” and the exercise of a high degree of autonomy. The SAR has been developing effectively under the regulations of the Constitution of China and the Basic Law of Macao.

The successful implementation of the above is effective in maintaining the political stability of Macao, in boosting economic development, and in strengthening social harmony. These are undeniable facts. The Government’s effort in protecting the rights and freedoms of Macao residents as stipulated in the Constitution of China and the Basic Law of Macao have been widely recognised by the international community.