The Macau government said in a statement yesterday that it was “strongly opposed” to the “irresponsible and frivolous” remarks in the European Union’s 2018 report about the Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR).
According to the statement issued by the Government Spokesperson’s Office, the government is “strongly” rejects the EU’s interference in the MSAR’s internal affairs.
The statement urged the EU to refrain from “false statements” and “inadequate activities” concerning the internal affairs of the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
The joint report by the European Parliament and the European Council claims that Macau’s “political opposition is weak and civil society is not very vocal”.
The annual report also says that Macau’s media last year “continued to express a broad range of views despite concerns about increasing ”.
The report also says that (two) “veteran legal advisors of Portuguese origin at the Legislative Assembly were dismissed in August 2018.” The report acknowledges that both “were on temporary contracts” but claims that “the sudden decision raised concerns in civil society about increasing efforts to sideline Portuguese/foreign expertise in favour of Chinese expertise”.
According to the report, “trafficking in human beings remains a problem in Macau.”
