Macao Polytechnic Institute has published the new issue of the Journal of One Country Two Systems Studies (Issue 1, 2021). First printed in July 2009, this academic periodical is published by the “One Country, Two Systems” Research Centre of MPI, with the objective to give the public an insight into the “One Country, Two Systems” policy, promote research on topics related to governance and the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, maintain the progress of the SAR society, and establish an academic platform for the study of “One Country, Two Systems”.

This issue features 15 outstanding academic articles. The first section, “Feature Articles: ‘One Country, Two Systems’ Forum 2020”, includes the five articles presented in the “‘One Country, Two Systems’ Forum 2020: Vision and Expectations on Social Governance and Governance in Accordance with Law in the Macao SAR”, an online academic forum held by the Centre on 20^th November 2020. The article “Criminal Prevention of Endangering Public Health Behavior: Focus on The Amendment XI to the Criminal Law” by Professor Feng Jun discusses how the latest Criminal Law Amendments fill the gaps found in the crime of obstructing the prevention and control of infectious diseases, and it also gives suggestions on how to coordinate these latest amendments with other laws in the legal practice. The article “On the Legalization of Social Governance and Its Evaluation Standards” by Professor Zhang Demiao discusses how to build a scientific indicator system for the evaluation of the legalization of social governance, in order to achieve the governance objectives of social order, social safety and social justice. The article “The Shortcomings of the Rule of Law in Social Governance and The Overcome: Taking the Social ‘Anti-Epidemic’ as an Example” by Professor Yang Jiejun discusses the underlying weaknesses and insufficiencies of social governance for the prevention and control of the epidemic, and it presents the respective suggestions for improvement. The article “Double Legal Liability for Civil Servants Breaking the Law: A Comparison of Civil Servants’ Legal Systems Across the Strait” by Professor Xiao Zecheng presents a comparison of civil servant systems between Mainland China, Taiwan and the regions of Hong Kong and Macao, and debates the circumstances under which civil servants should assume criminal responsibility for their illegal acts, in addition to the disciplinary sanctions of the government department which they belong to, that is, debates the border of the double punishment system of civil servants. The article “Research on Juristic Interpretation and Implementation Example of the Central Government’s Overall Governance” by Professor Xu Chang discusses the concepts of the central government’s overall governance and the high degree power of self-governance of the Hong Kong SAR and the Macao SAR, as well as presenting the principles that should be followed in implementing the overall governance of the Central Government. The articles are research studies based on theory and at the same time closely associated with practice. They can provide a multi-angle and multi-level analysis on improving the Macao SAR Government’s governance in accordance with law and the social governance in Macao.

This issue also includes a “Summary of the Academic Seminar on the Policy Address for the Fiscal Year 2021”. This was an academic seminar held by the Centre on 18^th November 2021. Scholars who participated in the event had in-depth debates on various governance priorities mentioned in the Policy Address 2021 by the Macao SAR Government. The discussions were inspiring and served to encourage rational thinking in society about the sustainable development of Macao under the new circumstances. Other sections of this issue are “Academic Monograph”, “Current Affairs and Policy Observation” and “Views and Voices”. The selected articles are closely related to the hot topics in the development of the theory and practice of the “One Country, Two Systems” principle and the Basic Law, such as “An Empirical Research on the ‘Appearance’ of the PRC Constitution in the Judgements of the Courts in the Hong Kong SAR and the Macao SAR” by Liu Mengni and “A Study on the Questions Activeness of the Members of Legislative Assembly of the Macao SAR and Its Related Factors” by Tang Chunlin and Zhang Jinghua.

MPI’s Journal of One Country Two Systems Studies provides a platform for experts and scholars to engage in academic dialogue and construct more valuable research achievements. The Journal is now available at the MPI official website at https://www.ipm.edu.mo/research/zh/academic_journal_2021_issue1.php; hardcopies can be purchased at the Public Information Centre, Starlight Bookstore (MPI Branch) and Plaza Cultural Macao at MOP50. Local and overseas scholars or researchers are welcome to submit articles through the CNKI Editorial Platform https://reupds.cbpt.cnki.net/. For any enquiries, please email RUPDS@ipm.edu.mo.