European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker
Macau authorities should think about promoting a higher degree of public involvement in the Chief Executive election, a report recently issued by the European Commission and the European External Action Service suggests.
The annual report, which was submitted to the European Parliament and Council of Ministers on Friday, provides a glimpse into Macau’s latest economic and political developments, reflecting upon local policies.
“The authorities should still consider how to promote a higher degree of public involvement in the election of the Chief Executive, thereby enhancing legitimacy of and public support for the post and strengthening good governance,” the report read.
The report recalls that Chief Executive Chui Sai On was re-elected for a second five-year term last year, and that political activists held an unofficial poll on universal suffrage for the CE election – a poll that was deemed illegal by local authorities.
The EU acknowledged that although Macau’s Basic Law does not foresee the introduction of universal suffrage, “there is a growing public debate about the issue and whether authorities should consider arrangements to promote a higher degree of public involvement in the election,” thus ensuring competition for the post. Chief Executive Chui Sai On won last year’s elections unopposed.
Looking into fundamental rights in Macau, the European Commission and the European External Action Service noted that rights and freedoms have been respected, and that positive steps have been taken to improve migrant workers’ conditions, and in combating domestic violence and human trafficking.
However, the European Commission stressed that press freedom “is at risk,” with instances of self-censorship and hindrances having been reported.
The EU stressed that Macau’s media “continued to give voice to a variety of views and opinions,” but it also recorded an increase in reports of self-censorship. It added that Hong Kong journalists have reported that they have been denied access to press conferences and events with high-profile government officials from Macau and mainland China.
“Recruitment in media organizations also appeared to be influenced by political considerations,” the report added.
The report also noted that academic freedom has been brought into question following the non-renewal of contracts for two politically outspoken university professors.
“It was reported that some other scholars had been asked by the university management to refrain from critical political statements. The EU holds academic freedom to be a cornerstone of a vibrant academic sector able to meet the needs of the economy and of society as a whole,” it stressed.
The EU report also looked into corruption cases in Macau, noting that the number of reports received by the city’s anti-graft agency (Commission Against Corruption) did not see a great increase, but that the cases were more complex.
Reflecting upon Macau’s latest economic developments, with gaming revenue having decreased for ten consecutive months in March, the report stressed that, “while Macau is one of the world’s richest economies in income per capita, income distribution is very unequal.”
In addition, the EU acknowledged that the city’s economy, which relies largely on the gaming industry, is “vulnerable to money-laundering” activities “because it provides a conduit for illegal money flows out of the mainland.”
“A key priority is improving the lives of ordinary citizens, who face mounting living and housing costs,” it concluded.
In the report, the EU reiterates its commitment to democracy, the rule of law and fundamental freedoms and rights in Macau.
EU-Macau bilateral trade drops by 11 pct
Bilateral trade between the European Union (EU) member states and Macau has dropped by 11 percent, decreasing to EUR613 million in 2014, according to a joint report issued by the European Commission and the European External Action Service.
EU exports to Macau have fallen by 5.9 percent to EUR540 million since the city’s import demand weakened with the economic slowdown, the reported added.
Luxury goods, food and beverages and vehicles accounted for a greater part of EU exports to Macau.
EU imports from the MSAR decreased significantly by 37 percent (EUR72 million). The EU recorded a trade surplus with Macau, reaching EUR468 million.
In spite of this the EU remains the territory’s second-largest supplier after mainland China, accounting for 24 percent of the SAR’s imports in 2014.
“Bilateral relations between the EU and Macau continued to develop positively,” the report said. The EU pledged to cooperate with diversifying Macau’s economy, and to explore regulatory convergence in areas such as competition policy, government procurement and intellectual property rights.
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