The Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) firmly supports new legislation passed by the central authorities to safeguard national security and maintain stability in Hong Kong.

The Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress has adopted on Tuesday (30 June) the Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong SAR. It was subsequently included in Annex III of the Basic Law of the Hong Kong SAR, taking effect on the same day.

The central authorities formulated the legislation in accordance with the situation in the Hong Kong SAR, respecting Hong Kong’s enjoyment of a high degree of autonomy and the fundamental rights and freedoms of its citizens.

The new law for the Hong Kong SAR promotes the advancement of its legal system, and introduces management and enforcement mechanisms regarding safeguarding national security. These efforts reinforce the smooth and long-term successful implementation of the “One country, two systems” principle.

Safeguarding the country’s sovereignty, security and development interests, and upholding the constitutional order stipulated by the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China and the Basic Law of the Hong Kong SAR, are essential duties to ensuring successful implementation of the “One country, two systems” principle.

Safeguarding national security is a core element for ensuring the country’s prolonged stability, and the long-term stability and prosperity of its two SARs. Such task is both a duty and responsibility of all citizens across the nation, including those in Hong Kong and Macao.

Macao passed in early 2009 its Law on Safeguarding National Security. In 2018, Macao set up a committee to safeguard national security, a body to coordinate and enforce local initiatives relating to national security.

Since the establishment of the Macao SAR, the Macao community has shown its strong support for the Macao SAR Government regarding work aimed at further safeguarding national security. Such effort has led Macao to successfully prevent intervention by external forces in domestic affairs, and also to unwaveringly uphold the principle that the Central Government exercises overall jurisdiction for the whole of the Macao SAR. Such achievements took place within the framework of Macao’s enjoyment of a high degree of autonomy and ability to exercise independent judicial power, further protecting the fundamental rights and freedoms of the Macao citizens, and ensuring social stability, economic prosperity and the well-being of the local community.

Security of the two SARs cannot be safeguarded without ensuring national security. Macao will dedicate further effort to optimise local legislation concerning the safeguarding of national security, while stepping up promotional effort within the community on the matter.

These efforts seek to consolidate awareness in the community regarding the constitutional order stipulated by the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China and the Basic Law of the Macao SAR, and aim to advance the successful implementation of the “One country, two systems” principle with Macao characteristics.

Meanwhile, Macao will work closely with Hong Kong regarding optimisation of relevant systems and enforcement mechanisms regarding safeguarding national security, in order for the two SARs to further fulfill their constitutional responsibilities in this regard.