The European Commission and the High Representative have adopted today their 25th annual report to the European Parliament and the Council on political and economic developments in the Macao Special Administrative Region. This report covers developments in 2024.
The year marked the 25th anniversary of the handover of Macao from Portugal to the People's Republic of China. The Sino-Portuguese Joint Declaration signed in 1987 stipulates that the social and economic system of Macao should remain unchanged for at least 50 years under the principle of 'one country, two systems'.
The report illustrates the continued focus on national security of the government of Macao and highlights that this risks undermining Macao's autonomy and fundamental freedoms. Macao adopted new legislation designed to implement the political doctrine of 'patriots ruling Macao', including the 'Amendment to the Electoral Law for the Legislative Assembly of the Macao Special Administrative Region' and 'Amendment to the Law on oaths upon taking office'. The new legislation further limits the space for pluralistic voices in both politics and society.
2024 saw the formation of the sixth-term Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region. Sam Hou Fai, the former President of the Court of Final Appeal, was the sole candidate for the post of Chief Executive and secured 394 votes from the 400-strong Election Committee. He was sworn in on 20 December by Chinese President Xi Jinping who visited Macao for the celebrations to mark the 25th anniversary of the handover.
The EU was Macao's second largest trading partner in goods in 2024, accounting for 26.6% of Macao's total trade, and its fourth largest source of foreign direct investment.
Background
Since Hong Kong's handover to the People's Republic of China in 1997, the EU and its Since the handover of Macao to the People's Republic of China in 1999, the EU and its Member States have been closely following political and economic developments in the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) under the 'one country, two systems' principle.
In line with the commitment given to the European Parliament in 1999, the European Commission and the High Representative issue an annual report on political and economic developments in Macao. This is the 25th report, covering developments in 2024.
