The Basic Law guarantees the steady and long-term implementation of "one country, two systems" in Macao

The Basic Law of the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China (hereinafter referred to as the "Basic Law of Macao") was adopted and promulgated by the National People's Congress on 31 March 1993 in accordance with the Constitution of the People's Republic of China (hereinafter referred to as the "Constitution"). This year marks the 30th anniversary of the promulgation of the Macao Basic Law.

Over the past 30 years, under the solid guarantee of the Constitution and the Basic Law, Macao has achieved a smooth transition and smooth handover, and has made great progress in economic development, improvement of people's livelihood and social stability, creating the best development situation in Macao's history. In the future, in order to continue to write a new chapter in the successful practice of "one country, two systems" and maintain long-term prosperity and stability, Macao needs to continue to fully and accurately implement the Basic Law of Macao, a constitutional law, on the basis of summing up successful experiences, and embark on the road of "one country, two systems" with Macao characteristics.

Over the past 20 years since Macao's return to the motherland, the successful practice of the Macao Basic Law has been mainly manifested in the following aspects:

1. Ensure the smooth transition and smooth return of Macao

On 20 December 1999, the People's Republic of China resumed the exercise of sovereignty over Macao and Macao was smoothly returned to the motherland. Since then, the Constitution and the Basic Law of Macao have together constituted the constitutional basis of the Macao Special Administrative Region and jointly defined the constitutional order of the Region. Macao has achieved a smooth transition and smooth return in a peaceful and orderly manner, an achievement that cannot be achieved without the strong guarantee of the Basic Law. The Basic Law of Macao is a product of the legalization and institutionalization of the principle of "one country, two systems".

During the transitional period, the Basic Law provided legal guidance for the transformation and convergence of Macao's original laws into a new constitutional order, and provided a constitutional foundation for Macao's smooth return to the motherland.

Second, resolutely safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests.

"One country" is the premise and foundation of the "two systems", which are subordinate to and derived from "one country" and unified within "one country". Adhering to the foundation of "one country" and safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests are the prerequisites and foundations for the smooth implementation of "one country, two systems".

Article 14 of the Basic Law of Macao on the responsibility for the administration of defence and public order, Article 18 on the implementation of national laws in Macao in a state of war and emergency, and Article 23 on self-legislation for acts endangering national security are all constitutional norms of the Basic Law on the implementation of the principle of "one country, two systems" to safeguard national security.

Since the return to the motherland, the Macao SAR Government and all sectors of society have always recognized, respected and upheld the constitutional order of the Special Administrative Region as defined by the Constitution and the Basic Law of the Macao, acted in strict accordance with the Constitution and the Basic Law, and have not committed any serious illegal acts that attempt to challenge or undermine the constitutional order of the Region. Fully respect the central authority stipulated in the Constitution and the Basic Law, and support the central government's exercise of overall jurisdiction over the Macao Special Administrative Region in accordance with the law; Earnestly fulfill the constitutional responsibilities entrusted by the Constitution and the Basic Law, and resolutely safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests.

From taking the lead in completing Article 23 of the Basic Law in 2009 to enact the Law on Safeguarding National Security of the Macao Special Administrative Region, to adopting the Administrative Regulations of the Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the Macao Special Administrative Region in 2018 and establishing the Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the Special Administrative Region chaired by the Chief Executive, to implementing the decision approved by the Central Government in 2021 by improving local legislation, Resolutely support and support the establishment by the Central Committee for Safeguarding National Security in the Macao Special Administrative Region of a national security adviser and a national security technical adviser.

At present, the Law on Safeguarding National Security is being comprehensively revised in accordance with the requirements of the "Overall National Security View", and Macao has been closely following the pace of the central authorities and setting an example in correctly implementing the Basic Law and safeguarding national security and unity.

3. Effectively safeguard Macao's long-term prosperity and stability

The economic foundation determines the superstructure, and economic development is an important task in implementing the principle of "one country, two systems" and a key factor in whether "one country, two systems" can be successfully practiced. Only by developing the economy and improving people's livelihood can Macao residents truly feel the tremendous changes and benefits brought by "one country, two systems" to the lives of the Macao Special Administrative Region and Macao residents, can Macao residents sincerely support the principle of "one country, two systems" and be willing to resolutely safeguard the principle of "one country, two systems".

Since its return to the motherland, under the guidance and protection of the Constitution and the Basic Law, the Macao Special Administrative Region has firmly grasped the core theme of development, concentrated on developing the economy, improving people's livelihood, achieving leapfrog development, and achieving great achievements, while maintaining social harmony and stability. In the future, in order to continue to maintain Macao's long-term prosperity and stability and realize Macao's sustainable and high-quality development, Macao should continue to take the Constitution and the Basic Law as its guide, make good use of the advantages of the free port, separate customs area and free flow of funds granted by the Basic Law, actively integrate into the overall development of the country, actively participate in the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Guangdong-Macao Intensive Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, and promote the moderate diversification of Macao's economy. At the same time, in response to the needs of the country, Macao will give full play to its strengths and give full play to the comprehensive advantages of "one center, one platform and one base" to further contribute to the country's comprehensive opening up and the construction of the "Belt and Road", and contribute to Macao's national strategy of promoting high-quality development.

4. Safeguard and implement the principle of "patriots governing Macao"

"Patriots administering Macao" is the proper meaning of the "one country, two systems" principle. Only by truly "patriots administering Macao" and ensuring that the governing power of the Macao Special Administrative Region is firmly in the hands of patriots can we earnestly safeguard the sovereignty, security and development interests of the country and maintain Macao's long-term prosperity and stability.

In accordance with the provisions of the Basic Law of the Macao Special Administrative Region, the Chief Executive, principal officials, the President and Vice-President of the Legislative Council, the President of the Court of Final Appeal, the Procurator-General and members of the Executive Council shall be Chinese citizens who are permanent residents of the Region. These provisions are the concrete embodiment of the principle of "patriots governing Macao" in the Basic Law.

Since its return to the motherland, Macao has actively implemented the relevant provisions of the Basic Law and effectively implemented the principle of "patriots governing Macao" by establishing and improving the electoral system for the Chief Executive and the Legislative Council, the oath of allegiance system for public servants, and the entry, promotion and training system for public servants. Through strengthening publicity and education on the Constitution and the Basic Law and national conditions, we will continue to consolidate the social foundation of loving the motherland and Macao, promote the transmission of the fine traditions of loving the motherland and Macao, and lay a solid political and social foundation for the future implementation of "one country, two systems" in Macao.

In general, looking back at the 30th anniversary of the promulgation of the Macao Basic Law, after the establishment of the Macao Special Administrative Region, the Basic Law has been fully and accurately implemented, the relationship between the Central Government and the Special Administrative Region under the principle of "one country, two systems" has been correctly safeguarded, and the relationship between the Constitution and the Basic Law has been correctly understood.

Practice has fully proved that the Macao Basic Law is a good law that conforms to Macao's reality, can withstand the test of practice and has strong vitality. On the basis of the successful experience in the implementation of the Basic Law, we should continue to improve relevant supporting systems and mechanisms, resolutely safeguard national security, and maintain Macao's long-term prosperity and stability. It is believed that the Macao Special Administrative Region, with the strong support of the State, the leadership of the SAR Government and the concerted efforts of all sectors of society, will continue to sing the wonderful drama of "one country, two systems" on Macao, a "small but beautiful" platform.

The author is Tang Xiaoqing, member of the Macao Basic Law Committee of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress and dean of the Faculty of Law of the University of Macau