The Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government expresses its firm backing of, and support for, the steps by the National People’s Congress to improve the electoral system of the Hong Kong SAR.

A legal proposal on the topic was submitted today for deliberation during the fourth session of the 13th National People’s Congress.

The draft proposal is a major initiative to implement fully the fundamental principle of “patriots governing Hong Kong”, and to ensure the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong.

Ensuring that the powers stemming from a high degree of autonomy are in the hands of patriots is a crucial principle concerning the implementation of “One country, two systems”.

Since Macao’s return to the motherland, the Macao SAR Government and people from all walks of life in Macao have been paying great attention to the promotion of Macao’s patriotic tradition, the unswerving adherence to the sense of national identity and love for the country, and the maintenance of the core values of loyalty to the country and to Macao, as the mainstays of the community.

Under the leadership of the Central Government, the Macao SAR Government has gradually advanced – in accordance with the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China and the Basic Law of Macao – democratic development in the local political system, establishing processes, in line with Macao’s practical needs, for electing respectively successive Chief Executives and members of the Legislative Assembly. Such effort helps protect local residents’ exercise of their democratic duty, while maintaining sound conditions for “patriots governing Macao”. These factors ensure that the implementation of the “One country, two systems” principle is on the right track, and moving forward.

It is a shared responsibility for people across Macao to safeguard the city’s social stability and to consolidate the foundation for “patriots governing Macao”. The Macao SAR Government will unite all sectors in society in the maintenance across the community of, respectively: unwavering confidence in the “One country, two systems” principle; solid support to the correct direction of the “One country, two systems” principle; a strong sense of mission and responsibility in the implementation of the “One country, two systems” principle; and firm backing to the cementing of the social and political foundation for the “One country, two systems” principle.

The Macao SAR Government will comprehensively impose the fundamental principle of “patriots governing Macao”, and keep optimising local electoral systems according to Macao’s practical needs. The Macao SAR Government is resolute in pushing forward democratic development with Macao characteristics in the local political system, and fortifying the systemic basis for “patriots governing Macao”. These efforts are to ensure the "One country, two systems" principle is steadfastly applied in Macao, without being bent or distorted, and are in order promote the steady progress of the “One country, two systems” principle with Macao characteristics.