The association will greatly put forward the efforts to popularize the Basic Law, said Edmund Ho Hau Wah, chief executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), at the inauguration meeting.

It is an important part of government work to popularize the Basic Law. However, the coordination with social groups should also be emphasized if the work is to be more efficient, said Ho, who also acts as honorary president of the association.

The association will exert efforts to enhance Macao people's understanding on the Basic Law and the principle of "One Country, Two Systems" and promote the stability and prosperity of the SAR.

The association has nearly 300 members, including some law experts who participated in the drafting of the Basic Law and the establishment of the Legislative Assembly of Macao.

In the following week, the association will put forward various art performances, games, symposiums, exhibitions, and Internet contests to let people know more about the Basic Law.

A textbook on the Basic Law and concerned training courses will also be sponsored by the association, sources said.

The Basic Law was issued on March 31, 1993 as the cornerstone of the political and legal systems of the Macao SAR.

(Xinhua 03/31/2001)