MACAU

Compiled from the December 2003 Background Note and supplemented with additional information from the State Department and the editors of this volume. See the introduction to this set for explanatory notes.

Official Name:
Macau Special Administrative Region

PROFILE
PEOPLE
HISTORY
GOVERNMENT
ECONOMY
FOREIGN RELATIONS
TRAVEL

PROFILE

Geography

Area: 16 sq. km. (6 sq. mi.) on a peninsula connected to China and the southern islands of Taipa (3.4 sq. km.) and Coloane (7.2 sq. km.) linked by bridge and causeway.

Terrain: Coastline is flat, inland is hilly and rocky.

Climate: Tropical monsoon; cool and humid in winter, hot and rainy from spring through summer.

People

Nationality: Noun—Macanese (sing. and pl.).

Population: (July 2003 est.) 469,903.

Population growth rate: (2003 est.) 1.72%.

Ethnic groups: Chinese 95%, Portuguese 3%.

Religions: Buddhist 45%, Roman Catholic 9%.

Languages: In 1992, the government gave the Chinese (Cantonese) language official status and the same legal force as Portuguese, the official language.

Education: Literacy—95%.

Work force: Industry and commerce—68%; services—12%; agriculture and fishing—9%.

Government

Type: Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People's Republic of China since December 20, 1999 with its own mini-constitution (the Basic Law).

Branches: Executive—President of the People's Republic of China (head of state), Chief executive (head of government), Executive Council (cabinet). Legislative—Legislative Council. Judicial—Independent judicial system with a high court (the Court of Final Appeal).

Economy

GDP PPP: (2002 est.) $8.6 billion.

GDP real growth rate: (2002) 9.5%.

Per capita GDP PPP: (2002 est.) $18,500.

Agriculture: Products—rice and vegetables; most foodstuffs and water are imported.

Industry: Types—tourism, gambling, clothing, textiles, electronics, toys, footwear, construction, and real estate development.

Trade: (2002) Exports—$2.36 billion f.o.b.: textiles and clothing, manufactured goods (especially toys, electronics, footwear and cement). Major markets—U.S. 46%, Hong Kong 6%, China 15%. Imports—$2.5 billion: consumer goods, foodstuffs, fuels, and raw materials. Major suppliers—China 42%, Hong Kong 15%, EU 12%, Taiwan 7%, Japan 7%

PEOPLE

Macau's population is 95% Chinese, primarily Cantonese and some Hakka, both from nearby Guangdong Province. The remainder are of Portuguese or mixed Chinese-Portuguese ancestry. The official languages are Portuguese and Chinese (Cantonese). English is spoken in tourist areas. Macau has only one university (University of Macau); most of its 7,700 students are from Hong Kong.

HISTORY

Chinese records of Macau date back to the establishment in 1152 of Xiangshan County under which Macau was administered, though it remained unpopulated through most of the next century. Members of the South Sung (Song) Dynasty and some 50,000 followers were the first recorded inhabitants of the area, seeking refuge in Macau from invading Mongols in 1277. They were able to defend their settlements and establish themselves there.

The Hoklo Boat people were the first to show commercial interest in Macau as a trading center for the southern provinces. Macau did not develop as a major settlement until the Portuguese arrived in the 16th century. Portuguese traders used Macau as a staging port as early as 1516, making it the oldest European settlement in the Far East. In 1557, the Chinese agreed to a Portuguese settlement in Macau but did not recognize Portuguese sovereignty. Although a Portuguese municipal government was established, the sovereignty question remained unresolved.

Initially, the Portuguese developed Macau's port as a trading post for China-Japan trade and as a staging port on the long voyage from Lisbon to Nagasaki. When Chinese officials banned direct trade with Japan in 1547, Macau's Portuguese traders carried goods between the two countries. The first Portuguese governor was appointed to Macau in 1680, but the Chinese continued to assert their authority, collecting land and customs taxes. Portugal continued to pay rent to China until 1849, when the Portuguese abolished the Chinese customs house and declared Macau's "independence," a year which also saw Chinese retaliation and finally the assassination of Gov. Ferreira do Amaral.

On March 26, 1887, the Manchu government acknowledged the Portuguese right of "perpetual occupation." The Manchu-Portuguese agreement, known as the Protocol of Lisbon, was signed with the condition that Portugal would never surrender Macau to a third party without China's permission.

Macau enjoyed a brief period of economic prosperity during World War II as the only neutral port in South China, after the Japanese occupied Guangzhou (Canton) and Hong Kong. In 1943, Japan created a virtual protectorate over Macau. Japanese domination ended in August 1945.

When the Chinese communists came to power in 1949, they declared the Protocol of Lisbon to be invalid as an "unequal treaty" imposed by foreigners on China. However, Beijing was not ready to settle the treaty question, requesting a maintenance of "the status quo" until a more appropriate time. Beijing took a similar position on treaties relating to the Hong Kong territories.

Riots broke out in 1966 when the procommunist Chinese elements and the Macau police clashed. The Portuguese Government reached an agreement with China to end the flow of refugees from China and to prohibit all communist demonstrations. This move ended the conflict, and relations between the government and the leftist organizations have remained peaceful.

The Portuguese tried once in 1966 after the riots in Macau, and again in 1974, the year of a military revolution in Portugal, to return Macau to Chinese sovereignty. China refused to reclaim Macau however, hoping to settle the question of Hong Kong first.

Portugal and China established diplomatic relations in 1979. A year later, Gen. Melo Egidio became the first Governor of Macau to visit China. The visit underscored both parties' interest in finding a mutually agreeable solution to Macau's status; negotiations began in 1985, a year after the signing of the Sino-U.K. agreement returning Hong Kong to China in 1997. The result was a 1987 agreement returning Macau to Chinese sovereignty as a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China on December 20, 1999.

GOVERNMENT

The chief executive is appointed by China's central government after selection by an election committee, whose members are nominated by corporate bodies. The chief executive appears before a cabinet, the Executive Council, of between 7 and 11 members. The term of office of the chief executive is 5 years, and no individual may serve for more than two consecutive terms. The governor has strong policymaking and executive powers similar to those of a president. These powers are, however, limited from above by the central government in Beijing, to whom the governor reports directly, and from below (to a more limited extent) by the legislature. Edmund Ho, a community leader and banker, is the first China-appointed chief executive of the Macau SAR, having replaced General de Rocha Viera on December 20, 1999. Ho's first term expires in December 2004.

The legislative organ of the territory is the legislative Assembly, a 27-member body comprising of ten directly elected members, ten appointed members representing functional constituencies, and seven members appointed by the chief executive. The Legislative Assembly is responsible for general lawmaking, including taxation, the passing of the budget and socioeconomic legislation. In the last election, held in September 2001, pro-Entertainment industry groups won 3 of the ten directly elected seats, pro-democracy groups won two seats, while pro-China parties won four; pro-business groups took the remaining seat. The next election will be held in 2005. The city of Macau and the islands of Taipa and Coloane each have a municipal council.

The legal system is based largely on Portuguese law. The territory has its own independent judicial system, with a high court. Judges are selected by a committee and appointed by the chief executive. Foreign judges may serve on the courts. In July 1999 the chief executive appointed a seven-person committee to select judges for the SAR. Twenty-four judges were recommended by the committee and were then appointed by Mr. Ho. Macau has three courts: the Court of the First Instance, the Court of the Second Instance, and the Court of Final Appeal, Macau's highest court.
Sam Hou Fai is the President (Chief Justice) of the Court of Final Appeal.

Principal Government Officials

Chief Executive: Ho, Hau-wah (Edmund)

Sec for Administration & Justice: Chan, Florinda Da Rosa Silva

Sec for Economics & Finance: Tam, Francis Pak-un

Sec for Security: Cheong, Kuoc Va

Sec for Social Affairs & Culture: Chui, Fernando Sai-on

Sec for Transportation & Public Works: Ao, Man Long

Procurator Gen.: Ho Chio, Meng

Pres., Court of Final Appeal: Sam, Hou Fai

Pres., Legislative Council: Chou, Susana Commissioner, Audit: Choi, Fatima Meilei

Commissioner, Independent Commission Against Corruption: Cheong, U

ECONOMY

Macau's economy is based largely on tourism, including gambling, and textile and fireworks manufacturing. Efforts to diversify have spawned other small industries, such as toys, artificial flowers, and electronics. The clothing industry has provided about three-fourths of export earnings, and the gambling industry is estimated to contribute more than 40% of GDP. More than 10 million tourists visited Macau in 2001. Although the recent growth in gambling and tourism has been driven primarily by mainland Chinese, tourists from Hong Kong remain the most numerous. Recently, gang violence, a dark spot in the economy, has declined, to the benefit of the tourism sector.

Macau depends on China for most of its food, fresh water, and energy imports. Japan and Hong Kong are the main suppliers of raw materials and capital goods.

Over the longer term, the relocation of manufacturing operations from Macau to the neighboring Chinese province of Guangdong will extend to textiles and garment production as China's entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO) gives the mainland increased direct access to international markets. Mainland competition, along with the phasing out of Multi-Fiber Arrangement (MFA) quotas, which provide a near guarantee of export markets, over the next few years, will eventually spell the end of Macau's low-end mass production of textiles, which comprise the bulk of the SAR's merchandise export earnings. The best opportunities may lie in providing services—shipping, finance, legal—to facilitate mainland exports through Macau to the rest of the world, and conversely inflows of goods and investment to the mainland. Gambling tourism is also an important area of potential economic growth and foreign-exchange earnings.

FOREIGN RELATIONS

Macau's foreign relations and defense are the responsibility of China. China has, however, granted Macau considerable autonomy in economic and commercial relations.

Principal U.S. Embassy Officials

The U.S. Government has no offices in Macau. U.S. interests are represented by the U.S. consulate general in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong (CG), 26 Garden Rd. • PSC 461, Box 1, FPO AP 96521-0006, Tel [852] 2523-9011(after hours/emergency: 2841-2230); CON Fax 2147-5790; ADM Fax 2524-0860; FAS Address: 18th Fl., St. John's Bldg., 33 Garden Rd., Tel 2841-2350, Fax 2845-0943; COM Address: 17th Fl., St. John's Bldg., 33 Garden Rd., Tel 2521-1467, Fax 2845-9800. IVG No. 727-0000 (after hours 727-2230). Website: www.hongkong.usconsulate.gov

Last Modified: Monday, December 15, 2003

TRAVEL

Consular Information Sheet
October 10, 2003

Country Description: Macau, formerly a Chinese territory under Portuguese administration, became a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People's Republic of China (PRC) on December 20, 1999. Macau enjoys a high degree of autonomy, except in the areas of defense and foreign policy, and retains its own currency, laws, and border controls. Facilities for tourism are well developed. Gambling, tourism, textile and apparel manufacturing are the major sectors in Macau's economy. With a population of approximately 442,000, Macau covers a 26.8 square-kilometer area including the peninsula of Macau, connected to the PRC, and the small, adjacent islands of Taipa and Coloane that are linked by a highway 2.2 km long.

Entry and Exit Requirements: Valid passports are required. A visa is not required for tourist visits of up to 30 days. For further information on entry requirements, contact the Embassy of the People's Republic of China (PRC), 2300 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Washington D.C. 20008, Tel: (202) 328-2500 through 2502, or the Consulates General of the PRC in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, New York City, and Houston. Travelers may also consult the Macau Tourist Information Bureau's U.S. representative office at 5757 West Century Boulevard, Suite 660, Los Angeles, CA 90045-6407, Tel: (310) 568-0009 or fax: (310) 338-0708. See also the Macau Government home page at http://www.macau.gov.mo.

The pataca (US1.00 to approximately 7.80 patacas) is the official currency in Macau. Included in the cost of ferry tickets from Macau to Hong Kong is a departure tax of 20 patacas. The airport departure tax for flights from Macau to China is 80 patacas, and 130 patacas for flights to other destinations.

In an effort to prevent international child abduction, many governments have initiated procedures at entry/exit points. These often include requiring documentary evidence of relationship and permission for the child's travel from the parent(s) or legal guardian not present. Having such documentation on hand, even if not required, may facilitate entry/departure.

Dual Nationality: Under the nationality law of the PRC, persons of Chinese descent who were born in the PRC, including Macau, are PRC citizens. However, under an agreement between the United States and the People's Republic of China, all U.S. citizens entering Macau on their U.S. passports, including such persons who may be considered PRC nationals by the PRC authorities, are considered U.S. citizens by the Macau SAR authorities for purposes of ensuring consular access and protection during their initial legal stay of up to 30 days in Macau.

However, dual-national residents or former residents of Macau who wish to ensure U.S. consular access and protection after the initial 30-day period of visa-free admission into Macau, should declare their U.S. nationality to the Macau Immigration Department upon arrival. Dual-national residents of Macau who enter Macau on travel documents other than their U.S. passports, and who desire to guarantee U.S. consular protection, should declare their U.S. nationality as soon as possible after entry. This declaration of change of nationality will ensure U.S. consular protection and will also result in loss of one's PRC nationality (but not necessarily one's right of abode). Whereas failure to declare U.S. nationality may jeopardize U.S. consular protection, such failure in itself will not jeopardize one's U.S. citizenship.

Dual nationals contemplating onward travel into mainland China should be attentive to use of their U.S. passports. Dual nationals who enter or depart China using a U.S. passport and a valid PRC visa retain the right of U.S. consular access and protection under the U.S.-PRC Consular Convention. The ability of the U.S. Embassy or Consulates General to provide normal consular services would be extremely limited should a dual national enter mainland China on a Macau SAR or other non-U.S. passport.

In addition to being subject to all Macau SAR laws affecting U.S. citizens, dual nationals may also be subject to laws of Macau that impose special obligations on Macau citizens. For additional information, see the Consular Affairs home page on the Internet at http://travel.state.gov for our dual nationality flyer.

Safety and Security: For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Internet website at http://travel.state.gov where the current Worldwide Caution Public announcement, Travel Warnings and Public Announcements can be found.

The Overseas Citizens Services call center at 1-888-407-4747 can answer general inquiries on safety and security overseas. This number is available from 8:00 a.m. to 8: 00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). Callers who are unable to use toll-free numbers, such as those calling from overseas, may obtain information and assistance during the se hours by calling 1-317-472-2328.

Crime: Petty street crime occasionally occurs in tourist areas in Macau, including in and around casinos. The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and to the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. If you are a victim of a crime while overseas, in addition to reporting to local police, please contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for assistance. The Embassy/Consulate can, for example, assist you to find appropriate medical care, to contact family members or friends and explain how funds can be transferred. Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime is solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed.

U.S. citizens may refer to the Department of State's pamphlet "A Safe Trip Abroad" for information on safeguarding valuables, protecting personal safety, and other suggestions for promoting a trouble-free journey. The pamphlet is available by mail from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, via the Internet at http://www.gpoaccess.gov/index.html, or via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov.

Medical Facilities: Several major hospitals in Macau have adequate medical facilities and are able to provide emergency medical care. Highly developed medical facilities and trained personnel are available in Hong Kong, which is about an hour by jetfoil and ten minutes by helicopter from Macau.

Medical Insurance: The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance companies prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. U.S. medical insurance plans seldom cover health costs incurred outside the United States, unless supplemental coverage is purchased. Further, U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment for medical services outside the United States. However, many travel agents and private companies offer insurance plans that will cover health care expenses incurred overseas including emergency services such as medical evacuations.

When making a decision regarding health insurance, Americans should consider that many foreign doctors and hospitals require payment in cash prior to providing service and that a medical evacuation to the U.S. may cost well in excess of $50,000. Uninsured travelers who require medical care overseas often face extreme difficulties, whereas travelers who have purchased overseas medical insurance have found it to be life-saving when a medical emergency has occurred. When consulting with your insurer prior to your trip, ascertain whether payment will be made to the overseas healthcare provider or whether you will be reimbursed later for expenses you incur. Some insurance policies also include coverage for psychiatric treatment and for disposition of remains in the event of death.

Useful information on medical emergencies abroad, including overseas insurance programs, is provided in the Department of State's, Bureau of Consular Affairs brochure, "Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad," available via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page or through the Bureau's autofax service at (202)647-3000.

Other Health Information: Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747), via the CDC autofax service at 1-888-CDC-FAXX (1-888-232-3299) or via the CDC's Internet site at http://www.cdc.gov/travel. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad, consult the World Health Organization's website at http://www.who.int/en. Further health information for travelers is available at http://www.who.int/ith.

Traffic Safety and Road Conditions: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning Macau is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.

Safety of Public Transportation: Good
Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance: Good
Rural Road Conditions/Maintenance: Good
Availability of Roadside Assistance: Good Traffic moves on the left in Macau, and roads are narrow and winding. Traffic is generally congested throughout the day. Taxis are plentiful and inexpensive, as are public buses.

For additional general information about road safety, including links to foreign government sites, see the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov/road safety.html. For specific information concerning Macau driving permits, vehicle inspection, road tax and mandatory insurance, contact the Macau Tourist Information Bureau's U.S. representative office at 5757 W. Century Boulevard, Suite 660, Los Angeles, California 90045-6407 (Tel: (310) 568-0009, Fax: (310) 338-0708), or the Macau Transport Department (Comissariado de Transito de Macau, Ave Sidonio Pais, Macau (tel: (853) 374-214, fax: (853) 522-966; http://www.iacm.gov.mo.

Aviation Safety Oversight: As there is no direct commercial air service by Macau carriers at present between the U.S. and Macau, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed Macau's Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with international aviation safety standards. For further information, travelers may contact the Department of Transportation within the U.S. at 1-800-322-7873, or visit the FAA's Internet website at http://www.faa.gov/avr/iasa.

The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) separately assesses some foreign air carriers for suitability as official providers of air services. For information regarding the DOD policy on specific carriers, travelers may contact DOD at (618) 229-4801.

Customs Regulations: Macau customs authorities enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export from Macau of items such as firearms, ivory, certain categories of medications, and other goods. It is advisable to contact the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Washington D.C. or one of the PRC's consulates in the United States at the addresses noted above, or the Macau Customs Service, Rua S. Tiago da Barra, Doca D. Carlos I, SW, Barra-Macau (tel: (853) 559-944, fax: (853) 371-136 for specific information regarding customs requirements.

Visitors to Macau should be aware that U.S. law prohibits the importation into the United States of counterfeit brand-name items such as watches, compact discs, computer software, and clothing.

Criminal Penalties: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating the laws of Macau, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Macau are strict and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and heavy fines.

Special Circumstances: The official languages in the Macau SAR are Chinese and Portuguese. English, however, is spoken in tourist areas. There are no currency restrictions for tourists in Macau. Although the pataca is the official currency in Macau, Hong Kong currency is commonly used in transactions especially in tourist areas. Pegged to the value of the Hong Kong dollar, a pataca is worth slightly less than one Hong Kong dollar. Travelers visiting Macau from Hong Kong may wish to bring sufficient Hong Kong dollars to cover their expenses. Credit cards and ATM network debit cards are widely accepted in Macau. Banks and major hotels accept traveler's checks.

Disaster Preparedness: During the storm season (July through September), Macau Observatory (Direcccao dos Servicos Meteorologicose Geofisicos) issued typhoon warnings on average of six times a year. Macau Observatory has a good notification and monitoring system in place.

Please consult Macau Observatory's website at www.smg.gov.mo for further information. General information about natural disaster preparedness is available via the Internet from the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at http://www.fema.gov/.

Children's Issues: For information on international adoption of children and international parental child abduction, please refer to our Internet site at http://travel.state.gov/children's issues.html or telephone the Overseas Citizens Services (OCS) Call Center at 1-888-407-747. The OCS Call Center can answer general inquiries regarding international adoptions and will forward calls to the appropriate country officer in the Bureau of Consular Affairs. This number is available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). Callers who are unable to use toll-free numbers, such as those calling from overseas, may obtain information and assistance during these hours by calling 1-317-472-2328.

Registration/U.S. Consulate General Location: There is no U.S. diplomatic or consular presence in Macau. Consular assistance for U.S. citizens is provided by the U.S. Consulate General in Hong Kong. U.S. citizens living in or visiting Macau are encouraged to register at the Consular Section of the U.S. Consulate General in Hong Kong and obtain updated information on travel and security within Macau. The address is 26 Garden Road, Central, Hong Kong. The telephone number in Hong Kong is (852) 2523-9011 or (852) 2841-2211; fax (852) 2845-4845. The e-mail address of the American Citizen Services Section of the Consulate General is: [email protected]. The mailing address (from the U.S.) of the Consulate General is PSC 461, Box 5, FPO AP 96521-0006; the Internet home page is http://www.usconsulate.gov.

International Parental Child Abduction

The information below has been edited from the report of the State Department Bureau of Consular Affairs, American Citizen Services. For more information, please read the Guarding Against International Child Abduction section of this book and review current reports online at travel.state.gov

General Information: The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (the "Hague Convention") came into force between the United States and Macau on March 1, 1999. Therefore, Hague Convention provisions for return would apply to children abducted or retained after March 1, 1999. Parents and legal guardians of children taken to Macau prior to March 1, 1999, may still submit applications for access to the child under the Hague Convention in some cases.

Children's Passport Issuance Alert Program: Separate from the two-parent signature requirement for U.S. passport issuance, parents may also request that their children's names be entered in the U.S. passport name-check system, also know as CPIAP. A parent or legal guardian can be notified by the Department of State's Office of Children's Issues before a passport is issued to his/her minor child. The parent, legal guardian or the court of competent jurisdiction must submit a written request for entry of a child's name into the Passport Issuance Alert program to the Office of Children's Issues. The CPIAP also provides denial of passport issuance if appropriate court orders are on file with the Office of Children's Issues. Although this system can be used to alert a parent or court when an application for a U.S. passport has been executed on behalf of a minor, it cannot be used to track the use of a passport that has already been issued. If there is a possibility that your child has another nationality you may want to contact the appropriate embassy or consulate directly to inquire about the possibility of denial of that country's passport. There is no requirement that foreign embassies adhere to U.S. regulations regarding issuance and denial of passports. For more information contact the Office of Children's Issues at 202-312-9700. General passport information is also available on the Office of Children's Issues home page on the internet at http://www.travel.state.gov/children's_issues.html.