Macau, Hong Kong reject EU’s ‘baseless’ annual report

The Macau government has issued a strong statement criticizing the European Union’s (EU) 2023 annual report on Macau, calling the contents “baseless” and accusing the EU of interfering in China’s domestic affairs.

The EU report claims the following specific freedoms are under strain in Macau: freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, and national security.

The Macau government has strongly disputed these allegations.

The government has claimed the report is factually incorrect, and that the EU has no right to interfere in China’s internal affairs.

The report has claimed Macau’s “continuously increasing focus on national security” risked “weakening fundamental freedoms” and eroding “Macau’s usually high degree of autonomy.” It has also claimed “freedom of the press remained under strain” and “freedom of assembly continued to suffer.”

The MSAR government has firmly rejected these assertions, stating the successful implementation of the “one country, two systems” principle has been effective in maintaining Macau’s long-term prosperity and producing various social developments. The government stressed that the rights and freedoms enjoyed by the Macau public, as stated in law, have been protected.

In a statement, the MSAR government expressed “strong opposition” to the EU report, which it said contained “groundless and baseless claims” and made “biased comments” about Macau’s political, social and economic achievements.

Regarding the revisions to the SAR’s Law on Safeguarding National Security, the government said the amendments drew from legislative experience in other jurisdictions, while fully considering Macau’s legal traditions and social realities, and adhering to international human rights conventions.

The changes were also made to fulfill the “patriots governing Macau” principle, safeguard national security, and enhance the electoral system to protect residents’ voting rights.

The MSAR government emphasized that over the 25 years since Macau’s return to China, the region has successfully implemented the ‘One country, two systems’ principle and the Basic Law, which are facts the EU cannot deny.

In the same statement, the local government urged the EU to take an objective and fair approach when assessing these matters, as they are part of China’s domestic affairs in which the EU has no right to intervene.

In a separate statement, the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its “strong dissatisfaction” with the EU report, accusing it of making “irresponsible remarks” and interfering in “China’s internal affairs.”

The Hong Kong SAR government also expressed its strong disapproval and rejection of the EU report regarding the its efforts in safeguarding national security, human rights and other important matters.

The government said the EU has intentionally overlooked the positive impact of the National Security Law on restoring normalcy to the lives of Hong Kong residents, economic activities and the business environment.

The spokesperson of the Hong Kong SAR government emphasized the EU’s “hypocrisy and double standards.”

The Macau SAR government hopes the EU will take a more constructive approach and promote the development of its bilateral relations, keeping with those pledges of support, and match those positive words with actions.Nadia Shaw