Safeguarding National Security is Macao’s Constitutional Responsibility

The Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress passed the National Security Law of the People’s Republic of China on 1 July 2015. Clause 2 of Article 11 of the Law stipulates that China's sovereignty and territorial integrity brook no division. Safeguarding China's sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity is the common obligation of all Chinese people, including Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan compatriots. The Macao Special Administrative Region is an inalienable part of the People's Republic of China. Safeguarding national security is the common obligation of all Chinese people, including residents of the Macao Special Administrative Region. Article 23 of the Basic Law of Macao clearly stipulates that the Macao Special Administrative Region shall enact laws on its own to fulfil its constitutional responsibility to safeguard national security. In observing this, the Macao Special Administrative Region has fulfilled its constitutional responsibility through its national security law coming into effect in 2009. According to Article 18 of the Basic Law of Macao, national laws shall not be applied in the Macao Special Administrative Region, except for those listed in Annex III to this Law. At present, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress does not include the National Security Law of the People’s Republic of China in Annex III of the Basic Law of Macao. The Macao Special Administrative Region will as always promote education on constitutional law and the Basic Law of Macao, consolidate and advocate patriotism and love for Macao, and make its best efforts to join hands with the public and all sectors to safeguard our national security.