The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On (first row, centre), poses for a group photograph with the delegation of high-level officials of judicial and law enforcement agencies from neighbouring countries invited to a meeting on judicial and legal cooperation.
The Government is committed to ensuring social justice and the protection of the legitimate rights and interests of Macao’s citizens, said the Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On. Mr Chui made the comments in his opening remarks on 18 July (Monday) at a reception for high-level officials of judicial and law enforcement agencies from neighbouring countries, invited to discuss judicial and law enforcement cooperation with Macao. A total of 27 senior officials from nine countries – namely Indonesia, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam, the Republic of Korea and Bangladesh – were invited to Macao to share information and experiences regarding their respective legal and judicial systems. The meeting was co-organised by the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) and the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in the Macao SAR. Mr Chui said the meeting would help the Government in its own efforts to develop further Macao’s judicial system and laws. Ever since the establishment of the SAR, the Government had been receiving full support from the Central Government, Mr Chui said. He added that the principle of “One country, two systems” continued to demonstrate strong advantages for Macao. The SAR was protected under the Constitution of the PRC, and under the Basic Law of the Macao SAR: the latter additionally recognises Macao as vested with independent judicial authority. Speaking at the reception, the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC in the Macao SAR, Mr Ye Dabo, said that – with the full support of the Central Government – the Macao SAR had been developing further its connections with neighbouring countries. The latest meeting created fresh opportunities for exchanges with judicial and law enforcement authorities from the nine participating countries, said Mr Ye. Justice of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Indonesia, Mr I Gusti Agung Sumanatha, said at the reception that a strengthened network of judicial authorities and enhanced legislation favouring investment and business would help bring about a more prosperous regional economy. Officials at Monday’s reception included: the Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR, Mr Chen Sixi; the Secretary for Administration and Justice, Ms Chan Hoi Fan; the Secretary for Security, Mr Wong Sio Chak; the Prosecutor-General, Mr Ip Son Sang; the Commissioner-General of the Unitary Police Service, Mr Ma Io Kun; the Chief-of-Office of the Chief Executive’s Office, Ms O Lam; the Chief of Office of the Secretary for Administration and Justice, Ms Iao Man Leng; the Chief of Office of the Secretary for Security, Ms Cheong Ioc Ieng; and the Chief of Office of the Prosecutor-General, Mr Tam Peng Tong. Representatives of judicial and law enforcement agencies; of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR; of consulates serving Macao; and of the Central Government also attended the reception.
