Representatives of the Identification Services Bureau met with the representatives of the "Macao Family Reunion Association" (hereinafter called "Association") on 15th May 2012. In the meeting, representatives of the Identification Services Bureau reaffirmed that the Central Government has been employing the same principles and scopes for the residents in Mainland to enter Macao for residence. Even the "Adult Children" in the measure, which was initiated in December 2009, must also fulfill the regulations at that time. Before 1st November 2001, children (aged under 14) of Macao residents in Mainland could apply to enter Macao for residence if they fulfill the requirements administered by the Public Security Authority in Mainland regarding the entry into Macao for Mainland residents. Nonetheless, if applicants became the age of 14 or above during the process of examination, their applications would be declined. "Adult Children" refers to the Mainland-born children of Macao residents, who have become overage during the application process. "Adult children" issue is solved on the condition that the applicants have fulfilled the relevant requirements of the Public Security Authority in Mainland in regard to Mainland residents entering Macao for residence at the time of submitting the application. At present, persons who do not satisfy the requirements of the "Guidance Notes on Application for Adult Children of Macao Residents in Mainland to Enter Macao for Residence" and made the request for their Mainland children to reside in Macao are mainly Macao residents who possessed a "Temporary Stay Permit" or "Blue Ribbon Card". Representatives of the SAR Government have repeatedly met with the related persons, listened to their requests and complaints and explained that their Mainland children are not within the scope of "Adult Children" specified in the aforesaid "Guidance Notes" due to the reason that their children had become the age of 14 when they obtained the Macao Resident Card and did not fulfill the requirements for applying to reside in Macao at that time. In the meeting, representatives of the "Association" mentioned that it was unfair as the condition of the parents who came to Macao in the 1990s was different from the condition of the parents who came to Macao in the 1970s and 1980s. In fact, in the "Operation of Registration of Persons without Identification Documents" in 1990, the Macao Government registered the persons who were staying in Macao unlawfully and issued them a "Temporary Stay Permit". According to stipulations of the laws at that time, these persons were not considered as residing in Macao. Therefore, they were not considered as a Macao resident. These persons officially become a Macao resident only from the issuance of Macao Resident Cards in 1996 and 1997. At the time, they became eligible to apply for their Mainland children to reside in Macao. Previously, a parent who possessed a "Temporary Stay Permit" filed a lawsuit in the Administrative Court of the Macao SAR, requesting to recognize the identity of Macao resident during the period of possessing the "Temporary Stay Permit", so as to make the children in Mainland fulfill the requirements for applying to reside in Macao. In the decision of the Court, it is clearly indicated that the "staying period" of "Temporary Stay Permit" holders in Macao is not considered as "resident period". They are only considered as a Macao resident at the time of obtaining a Macao Resident Card. Some representatives think that Mainland children entering Macao for residence can solve the shortage of human resources in Macao. Nevertheless, Mainland children entering Macao for residence and the reinforcement of human resources belong to two different categories. Satisfying requests of individuals will trigger other additional types of requests. The SAR Government reaffirmed that the categories of application for Mainland residents entering Macao for residence are defined by the Central Government and the quotas of persons entering Macao for residence is confirmed after consulting the SAR Government for opinions. The Central Government has clearly defined the principle and the scope to settle the issue of "Adult Children" of Macao residents. In addition, relevant authorities in Mainland have announced the application formalities, assessment standards and procedures to the public, conforming to the principle of equity, publicity and impartiality. Mainland residents applying for entering Macao for residence must fulfill the Mainland requirements and their applications have to be lodged in Mainland. The issue of "Adult Children" in Macao has reached a reasonable and complete settlement. There is only one arrangement, which was initiated on 1st December 2009, for "Adult Children" to enter Macao for residence. No alteration is made and will be made on the arrangement.
