The Basic Law of the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China defines the system to be applied in the Macao Special Administrative Region. It was enacted in 1993, in accordance with the Constitution of the People's Republic of China, by the National People's Congress; it came into force on 20 December 1999, when China resumed sovereignty over Macao (upon adoption of the Joint Declaration on the Question of Macao, signed by the Governments of China and Portugal). This constitutional document is composed of a Preamble, nine Chapters and three Annexes. Chapter I lays down general principles. Chapter II governs the relationship between the Central Authorities and the Macao Special Administrative Region: Macao is a local administrative region of the People's Republic of China that enjoys a high degree of autonomy and is directly subordinate to the Central People's Government. Chapter III defines fundamental rights and duties of Macao's residents. The provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and international labour conventions applicable to Macao shall continue to be in force and shall be implemented by the laws of the Macao Special Administrative Region. According to article 25, residents of Macao are equal before the law, without discrimination on the grounds of nationality, ancestry, race, sex, language, religion, political or ideological beliefs, education, economic status or social condition. The legiitmate rights and interests of women are protected (art. 38). Minors, the elderly and the disabled enjoy the support and protection of the Macao Special Administrative Region. Social protection is envisaged under article 39. Chapter IV regulates the political structure, which comprises the Chief Executive, the Executive Body, the Legislative Body and Judicial Bodies. Municipal authorities are defined in article 95. Property rights are recognized by Chapter V, which deals with economy. The Macao Special Administrative Region shall protect, in accordance with the law, the right of individuals and legal entities to acquire, use, dispose of and inherit property and the right to compensation in the event of legal expropriation. This compensation must correspond to the real value of the property at the time, must be freely convertible and must be paid without undue delay.
Chine - RAS de Macao · 1993-03-31