Macao Special Administrative Region

Its full name is the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, referred to as Macao SAR. It consists of four parts: Macao Peninsula, Taipa, Coloane and Cotai. It is located on the southeast coast of mainland of China, on the west bank of the Pearl River Delta, adjacent to Guangdong Province, and 60 kilometers away from Hong Kong and 145 kilometers away from Guangzhou. It had been ruled by Portugal since 1557. On December 20, 1999, the Chinese government resumed the exercise of sovereignty over Macao in accordance with the principle of “One Country, Two Systems” and established the Macao Special Administrative Region. According to the provisions of the “Basic Law of the Macao Special Administrative Region”, Macao is a local administrative region of the People’s Republic of China, directly under the Central People’s Government. The National People’s Congress authorizes Macao to exercise a high degree of autonomy in accordance with the provisions of the Basic Law, and enjoy administrative management, legislative power, independent judicial power, and final adjudication power. Macao’s current political system will remain unchanged for 50 years and enjoy a high degree of autonomy in all matters except diplomacy and national defense. Macao is divided into 7 parishes, and includes one zone that does not have defined parishes.

The Chief Executive of Macao is the head of the Special Administrative Region and the Macao government. He is accountable to the Central People’s Government and the Special Administrative Region in accordance with the Basic Law, and responsible for the implementation of the Basic Law and the leading of the Special Administrative Region government according to the law. He is elected locally in Macao and appointed by the Central People’s Government of the People’s Republic of China for a term of 5 years. The Executive Council is an organization that assists the Chief Executive in making decisions. Its members are appointed by the Chief Executive from among principal government officials, legislators and public figures. The government of Macao is an administrative organ of the Special Administrative Region, with secretaries, bureaus, departments and divisions. According to the Basic Law, the principal officials of Macao Government shall be Chinese citizens who have lived in Macao for 15 consecutive years and the permanent residents of Macao. They shall be nominated by the Chief Executive and submitted to the Central People’s Government for approval.

The Legislative Council is the legislature of Macao. It is elected in accordance with the Basic Law and exercises its functions and powers accordingly, including enacting, amending and repealing laws in accordance with the Basic Law, reviewing and approving budgets based on government proposals, and approving taxes and public expenditures, etc. The courts at all levels are the judicial organs of Macao and exercise judicial power independently in accordance with the law. Court of First Instance, Intermediate Court, and Court of Final Appeal are set up in Macao.