Politics of Macau takes place in the framework of a multi-party presidential system dominated by the People's Republic of China. It includes the legislature, the judiciary, the government, and a politically constrained multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government, led by the Chief Executive.
Constitutional role of Macau
In accordance with Article 31 of the Constitution of China, Macau is a special administrative region, which provides constitutional guarantees for implementing the policy of "one country, two systems" and the basis for enacting the Basic Law of the Macau Special Administrative Region. Although geographically near Guangdong province, Macau is directly under the authority of the central government of China, which controls the foreign affairs and defence of Macau but otherwise grants the region "a high degree of authority." The Basic Law took force upon the transfer of sovereignty from Portugal on 20 December 1999, and is to remain in effect for at least fifty years (i.e. until 2049).
Macau's seven deputies to the National People's Congress (NPC) are selected by an electoral conference; they attended their first session of the NPC in Beijing in March 2000. Previously, in December 1999, the NPC Standing Committee approved the membership of the NPC Committee for the Basic Law of the Macau Special Administrative Region, chaired by NPC Vice Chairman Qiao Xiaoyang, for a five-year term. Half of the ten members are from Macau, the others from mainland China. Macau also has representation on the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.
Relations between the government of Macau and China's central government are typically congenial.
- Roman Catholic Church (José Lai, bishop)
- Macau Society of Tourism and Entertainment or STDM (Stanley Ho, managing director)
- Union for Democracy Development (Antonio Ng Kuok Cheong, leader)
Foreign affairs
thumb|[[Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Macao Special Administrative Region]]
The central government in Beijing controls the foreign affairs of Macau. The Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Macao Special Administrative Region opened its office in Macau on 20 December 1999. As a central government agency, the commission interacts with the Macau government in matters of foreign policy. It also processes applications from foreign nations and international organisations wishing to establish consulates or representative offices in Macau. Macau is also authorised to handle some external affairs on its own. These affairs include economic and cultural relations and agreements it concludes with states, regions, and international organisations. In such matters, Macau functions under the name "Macao, China." Macau displays the flag and national emblem of the People's Republic of China but is also authorised to display its own regional flag and emblem. Taiwanese organisations in Macau are allowed to continue operations and are required to abide by the Basic Law.
International organisation participation
CCC, ESCAP (associate), International Maritime Organization (associate), Interpol (subbureau), UNESCO (associate), WMO, WToO (associate), WTrO
See also
- Politics of China