The Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR) Government expresses its strong opposition to content relating to Macao carried in the “2023 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices”, lately issued by the Department of State of the United States.

The self-styled report contains baseless commentary, smearing the actual condition of human rights in Macao.

Since its return to the motherland 25 years ago, the MSAR has fully, accurately, and unswervingly implemented the “One country, two systems” principle, and the Basic Law of Macao. The city’s economy has achieved breakthrough development, well-being of the people has been fully safeguarded, and Macao residents’ enjoyment of extensive rights and freedoms has been ensured. These achievements have earned wide recognition from the international community, as well as from the local community.

Amendments to the MSAR’s Law on Safeguarding National Security draws extensive reference from legislative experience in other jurisdictions, while fully considering Macao’s legal traditions and social realities, and strictly adhering to international human rights conventions. The continuous improvement of the electoral system in the MSAR is an inevitable requirement for implementing the “patriots governing Macao” principle. These efforts have received widespread support from the local community.

The MSAR Government urges the U.S. to respect objective facts, and to abandon such a “double-standards” mentality. The U.S. should adhere to the principles of international law and the basic norms of international relations, and stop interfering in Macao’s internal affairs, and China’s domestic affairs, using as an excuse human right issues.