The Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) respects and supports the sentencing of the Court of the Macao SAR today in accordance with the law for the first violation of the Law on Safeguarding National Security in Macao.

The Criminal Chamber of the Lower Court of the Court of First Instance independently heard the first case of national security in Macao and delivered a judgment in accordance with the law, fully protecting the legitimate rights of the suspects and other participants in the proceedings. The Macao SAR Government calls on all sectors of society to respect the rulings of the Court, support the judicial authorities in exercising their jurisdiction in accordance with the law, and uphold the tradition of judicial fairness and the rule of law.

Safeguarding national security is the constitutional responsibility of the Macao SAR. The SAR Government’s position on safeguarding national security, respecting the independence of the judiciary and safeguarding the rule of law is unwavering and will never waver. In the future, the SAR Government will continue to strictly implement the Law on Safeguarding National Security in Macao, prevent, suppress and punish acts that endanger national security in accordance with the law, and continue to deepen national security and rule of law education, further strengthen the defense line of the SAR to safeguard national security, ensure the long-term prosperity and stability of Macao and the fundamental interests of the general public, and ensure the steady and sustained implementation of “One country, two systems” principle with Macao characteristics.