Annual report | European Union praises success of ‘One country, two systems’

A European Union flag

In a joint report to the European Parliament and the Council, the European Union (EU) Commission has released its annual whitepaper on the state of Macau during 2015, claiming that “the ‘one country, two systems’ principle [has] continued to work well, to the benefit of the Macau SAR, China as a whole, and the international community.”
The EU report, which was released on Monday, reaffirms as in earlier years the EU adherence to the ‘one China’ policy and the supports the ‘one country, two systems’ principle and its implementation.
It noted that the fundamental rights and freedoms of citizens continued to be respected and that “positive steps were taken towards improving the wages of low-paid workers and combating domestic violence and trafficking in human beings.”
Echoing reports earlier this year from the US state department however, the EU reminded the parliament and council of increasing concerns of self-censorship in Macau’s media.
“There is growing self-censorship […] particularly in Chinese-language media and when reporting on Chinese affairs. The international media operate freely,” it resolved.
The report had this to say with regards to Chui Sai On: “The Chief Executive was elected in 2014, in an election in which he ran uncontested. This was the third time in a row that only one candidate stood for election to the Chief Executive post. While Macau’s Basic Law and other legislative acts do not provide for the possibility of universal suffrage, the EU encourages the Macau authorities to consider ways to promote greater public involvement in the election of the Chief Executive, thereby enhancing the legitimacy of the position and contributing to good governance.”
In the economic dimensions, the report concluded that the market-based economy continued to “function efficiently” but that economic growth has suffered from a decline in gaming revenues, “on which the SAR is over-reliant.”
Despite a contraction in Macau’s economy, bilateral trade grew significantly in 2015 due to an increase in the export of machinery and transport equipment. Trade relations led in 2015 to a general flourishing of relations between the two territories, the report said.
In a cautionary note the EU warned that the MSAR “remains vulnerable to money laundering as its massive gaming sector provides avenues for illegal money flowing out of the mainland.” However it congratulated a landmark agreement between China and Macau in August to increase cooperation and improve the implementation of suggestions by the Financial Action Task Force.
“Macau’s economic cooperation and integration with mainland China advanced at a fast pace, especially with Guangdong Province, helping to overcome Macau’s shortage of land and human resources,” read the EU report, adding that, “in this connection, administrative reforms have been announced.”
“On external policy, the government continued to boost Macau’s role as a service platform for trade and economic cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries,” the report noted. “[The government] supported the operations of the Sino-Portuguese Cooperation Development Fund, and promoted Macau as a bridge for trade and investment between China and Portuguese-speaking countries.”
On a broader level, bilateral relations between the EU and Macau “remained very positive” with the two sides in 2015 reviewing the developments in their relationship and exploring new areas for cooperation.
Future priorities in the relationship will include greater cooperation to diversify Macau’s economy, attempts to maximize the benefits of a closer China-Macau economic partnership, cooperation on legal and regulatory affairs and collaboration in the areas of research and innovation. It will also step up efforts to cooperate on the fight against human trafficking. Daniel Beitler