Introduction: Colonized by the Portuguese in the 16th century, Macau was the first European settlement in the Far East. Pursuant to an agreement signed by China and Portugal on 13 April 1987, Macau became the Macau Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People's Republic of China on 20 December 1999. In this agreement, China promised that, under its "one country, two systems" formula, China's political and economic system would not be imposed on Macau, and that Macau would enjoy a high degree of autonomy in all matters except foreign affairs and defense for the next 50...

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Political Update: Next Legislative Assembly elections are due to be held in 2013 and next CE elections in 2014.

In response his third annual policy address in November 2011 CE Chui announced the government would canvass public opinion on possible changes to the method of electing the Legislative Assembly.

Macau’s Basic Law contains provisions which allow for the electoral system to be changed after 2009.  The Basic Law says that any changes to the method of selecting the CE or the Legislative Assembly must be reported to the National People’s Congress Standing Committee for approval.  In his announcement CE Chui ...

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