TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC, 陸委會) reported on Friday (Dec. 20) that Macao is stable in the overall social situation but raised concerns about the tightening space for press freedom.
The council released an analysis report marking the 25th anniversary of Macao's handover. The report highlighted that Sam Hou Fai (岑浩輝), the sixth-term Macao Special Administrative Region chief executive, was born in China. It emphasized that the political focus remains on "patriots governing Macao" and "national interests above all."
Macao's economy has continuously grown, with GDP, inbound tourists, and gaming revenue recovering over 80% of pre-pandemic levels. However, the report warned of uneven development.
Meanwhile, China has introduced measures to benefit Macao, easing market entry barriers for its service industry and investing in tourism, finance, and culture, strengthening cross-strait relations under the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (粵港澳大灣區) framework.
MAC pointed out the warming exchanges between Taiwan and Macao post-pandemic, underscoring the importance of the Macao office's services. However, the Macao government's requirement for a "one-China principle" has affected personnel rotation.
The council vowed to maintain public services and operations, promote healthy bilateral exchanges, monitor changes closely, and enhance risk management to safeguard national security and protect citizens' rights.
