The U.S. Department of State’s recently released “2025 Investment Climate Statements,” which highlighted restrictions on Macau residents’ political participation, has drawn a statement of “strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition” from both the Macau Special Administrative Region (SAR) and Chinese governments, criticizing the report as containing inaccurate comments.
Titled “2025 Macau Investment Environment Statement,” the 27-page report is divided into 10 chapters, addressing topics such as Openness to and Restrictions on Foreign Investment, Bilateral Investment and Taxation Treaties, Legal Regime, Industrial Policies, Protection of Property Rights, Financial Sector, State-owned Enterprises (SOEs), Corruption, Political and Security Environment, and Labor Policies and Practices.
Among the topics, the report raised concerns that recent amendments to Macau’s Chief Executive Election Law and National Security Law, the newly enacted State Secrets Law, and the disqualification of pro-democracy candidates from Legislative Assembly elections may restrict local residents’ political participation.
Its summary stated, “The Government of Macau has taken several actions, particularly since 2021, that have limited participation in the political process.”
The report further noted that Macau authorities disqualified 21 pro-democracy candidates from running in the Legislative Assembly elections, citing their “lack of loyalty to the Macau and mainland Chinese governments.”
As a result, “voter turnout fell to its lowest level in more than 20 years,” with only 14 seats filled through direct elections out of Macau’s 326,000 eligible voters.
Additionally, since the passage of amendments to the 2009 National Security Law in 2023, Reporters Without Borders has stated that this legislation, as quoted in the report, “increases the pressure on journalists and further threatens the residents’ rights to information.”
In response, the SAR government emphasized its commitment to the principle of “patriots governing Macau,” firmly refuting claims regarding the legitimacy of the eighth Legislative Assembly elections.
Authorities stated, “Residents have actively exercised their democratic rights and participated in the election.” They noted that the number of voters reached a record high of over 175,000, resulting in a turnout rate of 53.35%, which they believe “is a vivid demonstration that the reformed electoral system was widely supported and recognized by the general public.”
Addressing the report’s comments on amendments to the National Security Law, the SAR government asserted that it extensively drew upon legislative experiences from other jurisdictions, fully considered Macau’s legal traditions and social realities, and strictly adhered to relevant international human rights conventions. Furthermore, it criticized the U.S. for implementing stringent national security laws while frequently abusing its “extraterritorial jurisdiction.”
The government concluded, “Instead of examining its own practice, the U.S. is pointing fingers at others. This is a demonstration of typical ‘double standard’ and hypocrisy.”
“The U.S. is an important economic partner of Macau,” the government stated, adding, “It is sincerely hoped that the U.S. side will not politicize economic issues and stop all political maneuvering.” The SAR government urged the U.S. to “make greater efforts to maintain a stable relationship with Macau in trade and economic development,” emphasizing the desire for a partnership that brings “mutual benefits to both sides.”
Meanwhile, the SAR government’s response statement addressed the “misleading comments” in the report regarding Macau’s economic development. It emphasized that in recent years, the government has “been vigorously promoting public administration reform, simplifying administrative procedures and deregulating, reducing government intervention in market activities,” all while continuously improving the business environment.
The statement highlighted efforts to promote appropriate economic diversification and refine local laws and regulations, further safeguarding employee rights and fostering “harmonious and orderly labor-management relations.”
The government asserted, “The above-mentioned achievements and progress made by the Macau SAR will not be obliterated by the self-styled U.S. report.”
In a statement, the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in Macau condemned the report for “deliberately undermining Macau’s rule of law, attacking its investment environment, and smearing the distinctive implementation of ‘One Country, Two Systems’ in Macau.” The office further criticized the report for “grossly interfering in Macau’s affairs and China’s internal affairs.”
The Office expressed “strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition,” urging the U.S. to “recognize the facts, change course, and immediately cease its incessant slander against Macau’s favorable environment.”
It called for an end to interference in both Macau’s affairs and China’s internal matters, emphasizing that any attempts to undermine Macau’s development and prosperity through “attacks, smears, interference, or sabotage have always been futile.”
The statement further asserted that “the rule of law is a crucial cornerstone for Macau’s long-term prosperity and social stability.”
Strengthening all legal systems, including those safeguarding national security, will “further solidify the foundation for the steady and enduring implementation of ‘One country, two systems’ in Macau.”
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