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Macao

Principal Statistical Indicators

Macao has been a part of Chinese territory since ancient times. In the late 19th century, Macao fully fell into the hands of the Portuguese colonialists in the wake of the Opium War that led to China’s colonization by Western countries. After the founding of New China, the Chinese Government, to safeguard the State sovereignty and territorial integrity, proposed a peaceful resolution of the question left over from history in an appropriate way when conditions were mature.

In 1984, Deng Xiaoping for the first time proposed that the issue of Macao should be settled with the “one country, two systems” formula as with Hong Kong. After five years of negotiations, this was agreed, and Macao smoothly returned to the embrace of the motherland on December 20, 1999.

During the past year or so since the return of Macao, the practice of “one country, two systems” and “Macao governed by Macao people”  with a high degree of autonomy has created a good beginning. Macao has begun to take a new look.

Macao's public order has improved obviously. For some time prior to the return, organized criminal activities were rampant, arousing wide concern inside and outside Macao. After the return, the SAR government gave top priority to improving public security, and has made encouraging progress. The occurrence rate of serious criminal cases has decreased significantly, while the clearance rate has increased evidently. Violent criminal activities were checked, and people in Macao are overjoyed.

Macao's economy has begun an overall recovery. From 1996 to 1999, its GDP had negative growth. Over the past year since the return, the SAR government has taken active measures to promote economic development and a new framework is being constructed for future development. Thanks to the concerted effort of local people from all walks of life, Macao's economy is moving away from its low ebb. In 2000, Macao witnessed 4 percent GDP growth. Meanwhile, the SAR government has taken the initiative to improve the investment environment, complete economic laws and regulations and raise the administrative efficiency. It has opened the mobile phone and Internet markets. More people, both in and outside Macao, have expressed the wish to invest in Macao.

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