中华人民共和国澳门特别行政区基本法
THE BASIC LAW OF THE MACAO SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE¹ REGION OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA

（Adopted at the First Session of the Eighth National People's Congress and promulgated³ by Order No. 3 of the President of the People's Republic of China on March 31， 1993）
颁布日期：19930331 　实施日期：19991220 　颁布单位：全国人大

　　CONTENTS

　　Preamble⁴

　　Chapter I General Principles

　　Chapter II Relationship Between the Central Authorities and the Macao Special Administrative Region

　　Chapter III Fundamental Rights and Duties of the Residents

　　Chapter IV Political Structure

　　Section 1 The Chief Executive

　　Section 2 The Executive Authorities

　　Section 3 The Legislature

　　Section 4 The Judiciary

　　Section 5 Municipal Organs

　　Section 6 Public Servants

　　Section 7 Swearing Allegiance

　　Chapter V Economy

　　Chapter VI Cultural and Social Affairs

　　Chapter VII External Affairs

　　Chapter VIII Interpretation⁵ and Amendments⁸ of the Basic Law

　　Chapter IX Supplementary⁹ Provisions

　　Annex¹⁰ I Method for the Selection of the Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region

　　Annex II Method for the Formation of the Legislative¹¹ Council of the Macao Special Administrative Region

　　Annex III National Laws to Be Applied¹² in the Macao Special Administrative Region

　　Preamble

　　Macao， including the Macao Peninsula， Taipa Island and Coloane Island， has been part of the territory of China since ancient times； it was gradually occupied by Portugal after the mid-16th century. On 13 April 1987， the Chinese and Portuguese¹³ Governments signed the Joint¹⁴ Declaration on the Question of Macao， affirming that the Government of the People's Republic of China will resume the exercise of sovereignty over Macao with effect from 20 December 1999， thus fulfilling the long-cherished common aspiration¹⁵ of the Chinese people for the recovery of Macao.

　　Upholding national unity¹⁶ and territorial¹⁷ integrity， contributing to social stability and economic development， and taking account of its history and realities， the People's Republic of China has decided¹⁸ that upon China's resumption of the exercise of sovereignty over Macao， a Macao Special Administrative Region will be established in accordance with the provisions of Article 31 of the Constitution of the People's Republic of China， and that under the principle of “one country， two systems”， the socialist¹⁹ system and policies will not be practised in Macao. The basic policies of the People's Republic of China regarding Macao have been elaborated by the Chinese Government in the Sino-Portuguese Joint Declaration.

　　In accordance with the Constitution of the People's Republic of China， the National People's Congress hereby enacts²¹ the Basic Law of the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China， prescribing the systems to be practised in the Macao Special Administrative Region， in order to ensure the implementation²³ of the basic policies of the People's Republic of China regarding Macao.

　　Chapter I General Principles

　　Article 1 The Macao Special Administrative Region is an inalienable part of the People's Republic of China.

　　Article 2 The National People's Congress authorizes²⁴ the Macao Special Administrative Region to exercise a high degree of autonomy and enjoy executive， legislative and independent judicial²⁵ power， including that of final adjudication， in accordance with the provisions of this Law.

　　Article 3 The executive authorities and legislature of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall be composed of permanent residents of Macao in accordance with the relevant provisions of this Law.

　　Article 4 The Macao Special Administrative Region shall safeguard the rights and freedoms of the residents of the Macao Special Administrative Region and of other persons in the Region in accordance with law.

　　Article 5 The socialist system and policies shall not be practised in the Macao Special Administrative Region， and the previous capitalist system and way of life shall remain unchanged for 50 years.

　　Article 6 The Macao Special Administrative Region shall protect the right of private ownership of property in accordance with law.

　　Article 7 The land and natural resources within the Macao Special Administrative Region shall be State property， except for the private land recognised as such according to the laws in force before the establishment of the Macao Special Administrative Region. The Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall be responsible for their management， use and development and for their lease or grant to individuals or legal persons for use or development. The revenues derived²⁶ therefrom shall be exclusively at the disposal of the government of the Region.

　　Article 8 The laws， decrees， administrative regulations and other normative acts previously²⁷ in force in Macao shall be maintained， except for any that contravenes²⁹ this Law， or subject to any amendment⁷ by the legislature or other relevant organs of the Macao Special Administrative Region in accordance with legal procedures.

　　Article 9 In addition to the Chinese language， Portuguese may also be used as an official language by the executive authorities， legislature and judiciary of the Macao Special Administrative Region.

　　Article 10 Apart from displaying the national flag and national emblem³⁰ of the People's Republic of China， the Macao Special Administrative Region may also use a regional flag and regional emblem.

　　The regional flag of the Macao Special Administrative Region is a green flag with five stars， lotus flower， bridge and sea water.

　　The regional emblem of the Macao Special Administrative Region is composed of five stars， lotus flower， bridge and sea water encircled by the words “Macao Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China” in Chinese and “MACAO” in Portuguese.

　　Article 11 In accordance with Article 31 of the Constitution of the People's Republic of China， the systems and policies practised in the Macao Special Administrative Region， including the social and economic systems， the system for safeguarding the fundamental rights and freedoms of its residents， the executive， legislative and judicial systems， and the relevant policies， shall be based on the provisions of this Law.

　　No law， decree， administrative regulations and normative acts of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall contravene²⁸ this Law.

　　Chapter II Relationship Between the Central Authorities and the Macao Special Administrative Region

　　Article 12 The Macao Special Administrative Region shall be a local administrative region of the People's Republic of China， which shall enjoy a high degree of autonomy and come directly under the Central People's Government.

　　Article 13 The Central People's Government shall be responsible for the foreign affairs relating to the Macao Special Administrative Region.

　　The Ministry³¹ of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China shall establish an office in Macao to deal with foreign affairs.

　　The Central People's Government authorizes the Macao Special Administrative Region to conduct relevant external affairs on its own in accordance with this Law.

　　Article 14 The Central People's Government shall be responsible for the defence of the Macao Special Administrative Region.

　　The Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall be responsible for the maintenance of public order in the Region.

　　Article 15 The Central People's Government shall appoint or remove the Chief Executive， the principal officials of the government and the Procurator-General of the Macao Special Administrative Region in accordance with the relevant provisions of this Law.

　　Article 16 The Macao Special Administrative Region shall be vested with executive power. It shall， on its own， conduct the administrative affairs of the Region in accordance with the relevant provisions of this Law.

　　Article 17 The Macao Special Administrative Region shall be vested with legislative power.

　　Laws enacted³² by the legislature of the Macao Special Administrative Region must be reported to the Standing³³ Committee of the National People's Congress for the record. The reporting for record shall not affect the entry into force of such laws.

　　If the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress， after consulting the Committee for the Basic Law of the Macao Special Administrative Region under it， considers that any law enacted by the legislature of the Region is not inconformity with the provisions of this Law regarding affairs within the responsibility of the Central Authorities or regarding the relationship between the Central Authorities and the Region， the Standing Committee may return the law in question but shall not amend⁶ it. Any law returned by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress shall immediately be invalidated. This invalidation shall not have retroactive effect， unless otherwise provided for in the laws of the Region.

　　Article 18 The laws in force in the Macao Special Administrative Region shall be this Law， the laws previously in force in Macao as provided for in Article 8 of this Law， and the laws enacted by the legislature of the Region.

　　National laws shall not be applied in the Macao Special Administrative Region except for those listed in Annex III to this Law. The laws listed therein shall be applied locally by way of promulgation³⁵ or legislation by the Region.

　　The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress may add to or delete from the list of laws in Annex III after consulting its Committee for the Basic Law of the Macao Special Administrative Region and the government of the Region. Laws listed in Annex III to this Law shall be confined to those relating to defence and foreign affairs as well as other matters outside the limits of the autonomy of the Region as specified³⁶ by this Law.

　　In the event that the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress decides to declare a state of war or， by reason of turmoil³⁷ within the Macao Special Administrative Region which endangers national unity or security and is beyond the control of the government of the Region， decides that the Region is in a state of emergency， the Central People's Government may issue an order applying the relevant national laws in the Region.

　　Article 19 The Macao Special Administrative Region shall be vested with independent judicial power， including that offinal adjudication.

　　The courts of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall have jurisdiction³⁸ over all cases in the Region， except that the restrictions⁴⁰ on their jurisdiction imposed by the legal system and principles previously in force in Macao shall be maintained.

　　The courts of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall have no jurisdiction over acts of state such as defence and foreign affairs. The courts of the Region shall obtain a certificate from the Chief Executive on questions of fact concerning acts of state such as defence and foreign affairs whenever such questions arise in the adjudication of cases. This certificate shall be binding⁴¹ on the cours. Before issuing such a certificate， the Chief Executive shall obtain a certifying⁴² document from the Central People's Government.

　　Article 20 The Macao Special Administrative Region may enjoy other powers granted to it by the National People's Congress， the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress or the Central People's Government.

　　Article 21 Chinese citizens who are residents of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall be entitled to participate in the management of state affairs according to law.

　　In accordance with the assigned number of seats and the selection method specified by the National People's Congress， the Chinese citizens among the residents of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall locally elect deputies of the Region to the National People's Congress to participate in the work of the highest organ of state power.

　　Article 22 No department of the Central People's Government and no province， autonomous⁴³ region， or municipality directly under the Central Government may interfere⁴⁴ in the affairs which the Macao Special Administrative Region administers on its own in accordance with this Law.

　　If there is a need for departments of the Central Government， or for provinces， autonomous regions， or municipalities directly under the Central Government to set up offices in the Macao Special Administrative Region， they must obtain the consent of the government of the Region and the approval of the Central People's Government.

　　All offices set up in the Macao Special Administrative Region by departments of the Central Government， or by provinces， autonomous regions， or municipalities directly under the Central Government， and the personnel of these offices shall abide⁴⁵ by the laws of the Region.

　　For entry into the Macao Special Administrative Region， people from other provinces， autonomous regions or municipalities directly under the Central Government must apply for approval. Among them， the number of persons who enter the Region for the purpose of settlement shall be determined⁴⁶ by the competent authorities of the Central People's Government after consulting the government of the Region.

　　The Macao Special Administrative Region may establish an office in Beijing.

　　Article 23 The Macao Special Administrative Region shall enact²⁰ laws on its own to prohibit any act of treason， secession， sedition⁴⁷， subversion⁴⁸ against the Central People's Government， or theft of state secrets， to prohibit foreign political organizations or bodies from conducting political activities in the Region， and to prohibit political organizations or bodies of the Region from establishing ties with foreign political organizations or bodies.

　　Chapter III Fundamental Rights and Duties of the Residents

　　Article 24 Residents of the Macao Special Administrative Region （“Macao residents”） shall include permanent residents and non-permanent residents.

　　The permanent residents of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall be：

　　（1） Chinese citizens born in Macao before or after the establishment of the Macao Special Administrative Region and their children of Chinese nationality born outside Macao；

　　（2） Chinese citizens who have ordinarily resided in Macao for a continuous period of not less than seven years before or after the establishment of the Macao Special Administrative Region and their children of Chinese nationality born outside Macao after they have become permanent residents；

　　（3） The Portuguese who were born in Macao and have taken Macao as their place of permanent residence before or after the establishment of the Macao Special Administrative Region；

　　（4） The Portuguese who have ordinarily resided in Macao for a continuous period of not less than 7 years and have taken Macao as their place of permanent residence before or after the establishment of the Macao Special Administrative Region；

　　（5） Other persons who have ordinarily resided in Macao for a continuous period of not less than 7 years and have taken Macao as their place of permanent residence before or after the establishment of the Macao Special Administrative Region；

　　（6） Persons under 18 years of age born in Macao of those residents listed in category （5） before or after the establishment of the Macao Special Administrative Region.

　　The above-mentioned residents shall have the right of abode⁴⁹ in the Macao Special Administrative Region and shall be qualified⁵⁰ to obtain permanent identity cards.

　　The non-permanent residents of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall be persons who are qualified to obtain Macao identity cards in accordance with the laws of the Region but have no right of abode.

　　Article 25 All Macao residents shall be equal before the law， and shall be free from discrimination， irrespective of their nationality， descent， sex， race， language， religion， political persuasion⁵¹ or ideological⁵² belief， educational level， economic status or social conditions.

　　Article 26 Permanent residents of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall have the right to vote and the right to stand for election in accordance with law.

　　Article 27 Macao residents shall have freedom of speech， of the press and of publication； freedom of association， of assembly， of procession and of demonstration⁵³； and the right and freedom to form and join trade unions， and to strike.

　　Article 28 The freedom of the person of Macao residents shall be inviolable.

　　No Macao resident shall be subjected to arbitrary or unlawful arrest， detention⁵⁵ or imprisonment⁵⁶. In case of arbitrary or unlawful detention or imprisonment， Macao residents have the right to apply to the court for the issuance of a writ⁵⁷ of habeas corpus.

　　Unlawful search of the body of any resident or deprivation⁵⁸ or restriction³⁹ of the freedom of the person shall be prohibited.

　　Torture or inhuman⁵⁹ treatment of any resident shall be prohibited.

　　Article 29 Macao residents shall not be punished by law， unless their acts constitute a crime and they shall be punished for it as expressly prescribed by law at the time.

　　When charged with criminal offences， Macao residents shall enjoy the right to an early court trial and shall be presumed innocent before convicted.

　　Article 30 The human dignity of Macao residents shall be inviolable. Humiliation⁶⁰， slander⁶¹ and false accusation⁶² against residents in any form shall be prohibited.

　　Macao residents shall enjoy the right to personal reputation and the privacy of their private and family life.

　　Article 31 The homes and other premises⁶³ of Macao residents shall be inviolable. Arbitrary or unlawful search of， or intrusion into， a resident's home or other premises shall be prohibited.

　　Article 32 The freedom and privacy of communication of Macao residents shall be protected by law. No department or individual may， on any grounds， infringe⁶⁴ upon the freedom and privacy of communication of residents except that the relevant authorities may inspect communication in accordance with the provisions of the law to meet the needs of public security or of investigation⁶⁵ into criminal offences.

　　Article 33 Macao residents shall have freedom of movement within the Macao Special Administrative Region and freedom of emigration to other countries and regions. They shall have freedom to travel and to enter or leave the Region and shall have the right to obtain travel documents in accordance with law. Unless restrained by law， holders⁶⁶ of valid³⁴ travel documents shall be free to leave the Region without special authorization⁶⁷.

　　Article 34 Macao residents shall have freedom of conscience.

　　Macao residents shall have freedom of religious belief and freedom to preach and to conduct and participate in religious activities in public.

　　Article 35 Macao residents shall have freedom of choice of occupation and work.

　　Article 36 Macao residents shall have the right to resort to law and to have access to the courts， to lawyers' help for protection of their lawful⁵⁴ rights and interests， and to judicial remedies.

　　Macao residents shall have the right to institute legal proceedings⁶⁸ in the courts against the acts of the executive authorities and their personnel.

　　Article 37 Macao residents shall have freedom to engage in education， academic research， literary and artistic⁶⁹ creation， and other cultural activities.

　　Article 38 The freedom of marriage of Macao residents and their right to form and raise a family freely shall be protected by law.

　　The legitimate⁷⁰ rights and interests of women shall be protected by the Macao Special Administrative Region.

　　The minors⁷¹， the aged⁷² and the disabled shall be taken care of and protected by the Macao Special Administrative Region.

　　Article 39 Macao residents shall have the right to social welfare in accordance with law. The welfare benefits and retirement⁷³ security of the labour force shall be protected by law.

　　Article 40 The provisions of International Covenant⁷⁴ on Civil and Political Rights， International Covenant on Economic， Social and Cultural Rights， and international labour conventions as applied to Macao shall remain in force and shall be implemented⁷⁵ through the laws of the Macao Special Administrative Region.

　　The rights and freedoms enjoyed by Macao residents shall not be restricted unless as prescribed by law. Such restrictions shall not contravene the provisions of the first paragraph of this Article.

　　Article 41 Macao residents shall enjoy the other rights and freedoms safeguarded by the laws of the Macao Special Administrative Region.

　　Article 42 The interests of the residents of Portuguese descent in Macao shall be protected by the Macao Special Administrative Region in accordance with law， and their customs and cultural traditions shall be respected.

　　Article 43 Persons in the Macao Special Administrative Region other than Macao residents shall， in accordance with law， enjoy the rights and freedoms of Macao residents prescribed in this Chapter.

　　Article 44 Macao residents and other persons in Macao shall have the obligation to abide by the laws in force in the Macao Special Administrative Region.

　　Chapter IV Political Structure

　　Section 1 The Chief Executive

　　Article 45 The Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall be the head of the Macao Special Administrative Region and shall represent the Region.

　　The Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall be accountable to the Central People's Government and the Macao Special Administrative Region in accordance with the provisions of this Law.

　　Article 46 The Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall be a Chinese citizen of not less than 40 years of age who is a permanent resident of the Region and has ordinarily resided in Macao for a continuous period of not less than 20 years.

　　Article 47 The Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall be selected by election or through consultations⁷⁶ held locally and be appointed by the Central People's Government.

　　The specific method for selecting the Chief Executive is prescribed in Annex I： “Method for the Selection of the Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region”。

　　Article 48 The term of office of the Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall be five years. He or she may serve for not more than two consecutive⁷⁷ terms.

　　Article 49 The Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region， during his or her term of office， shall have no right of abode in any foreign country and shall not engage in any activities for his or her personal gains. The Chief Executive， on assuming office， shall declare his or her assets to the President of the Court of Final Appeal of the Macao Special Administrative Region. This declaration shall be put on record.

　　Article 50 The Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall exercise the following powers and functions：

　　（1） To lead the government of the Region；

　　（2） To be responsible for the implementation of this Law and other laws which， in accordance with this Law， apply in the Macao Special Administrative Region；

　　（3） To sign bills passed by the Legislative Council and to promulgate² laws；

　　To sign budgets passed by the Legislative Council and report the budgets and final accounts to the Central People's Government for the record；

　　（4） To decide on government policies and to issue executive orders；

　　（5） To formulate⁷⁸ the administrative regulations and promulgate them for implementation；

　　（6） To nominate and to report to the Central People's Government for appointment the following principal officials： Secretaries of Departments， Commissioner⁷⁹ Against Corruption⁸⁰， Director of Audit⁸¹， the leading members of the Police and the customs and excise⁸²； and to recommend to the Central People's Government the removal of the above-mentioned officials；

　　（7） To appoint part of the members of the Legislative Council；

　　（8） To appoint or remove members of the Executive Council；

　　（9） To appoint or remove presidents and judges of the courts at all levels and procurators in accordance with legal procedures；

　　（10） To nominate and report to the Central People's Government for appointment of the Procurator-General and recommend to the Central People's Government the removal of the Procurator-General in accordance with legal procedures；

　　（11） To appoint or remove holders of public office in accordance with legal procedures；

　　（12） To implement²² the directives issued by the Central People's Government in respect of the relevant matters provided for in this Law；

　　（13） To conduct， on behalf of the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region， external affairs and other affairs as authorized⁸³ by the Central Authorities； （14） To approve the introduction of motions regarding revenues or expenditure⁸⁴ to the Legislative Council；

　　（15） To decide， in the light of security and vital public interests， whether government officials or other personnel in charge of government affairs should testify or give evidence before the Legislative Council or its committees；

　　（16） To confer medals and titles of honour of the Macao Special Administrative Region in accordance with law；

　　（17） To pardon persons convicted of criminal offences or commute⁸⁵ their penalties in accordance with law； and

　　（18） To handle petitions and complaints.

　　Article 51 If the Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region considers that a bill passed by the Legislative Council is not compatible with the overall interests of the Region， he or she may give his or her reasons in writing and return it to the Legislative Council within 90 days for reconsideration. If the Legislative Council passes the original bill again by not less than a two-thirds majority of all the members， the Chief Executive must sign and promulgate it within 30 days or act in accordance with the provisions of Article 52 of this Law.

　　Article 52 The Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region may dissolve the Legislative Council under any of the following circumstances：

　　（1） The Chief Executive refuses to sign a bill passed the second time by the Legislative Council； and

　　（2） The Legislative Council refuses to pass a budget introduced by the government or any other bills which he or she considers concern the overall interests of the Region， and after consultations， consensus⁸⁶ still cannot be reached.

　　Before dissolving the Legislative Council， the Chief Executive must consult the Executive Council and he or she shall explain the reason for it to the public.

　　The Chief Executive may dissolve the Legislative Council only once in each term of his or her office.

　　Article 53 If the Legislative Council of the Macao Special Administrative Region fails to pass the budget introduced by the government， the Chief Executive may approve provisional short-term appropriations⁸⁷ according to the level of expenditure of the previous fiscal⁸⁸ year.

　　Article 54 The Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region must resign under any of the following circumstances；

　　（1） When he or she loses the ability to discharge his or her duties as a result of serious illness or other reasons；

　　（2） When， after the Legislative Council is dissolved because he or she twice refuses to sign a bill passed by it， the new Legislative Council again passes by a two-thirds majority of all the members the original bill in dispute， but he or she still refuses to sign it within 30 days； and

　　（3） When， after the Legislative Council is dissolved because it refuses to pass a budget or any other bill concerning the overall interests of the Macao Special Administrative Region， the newly elected Legislative Council still refuses to pass the original bill in dispute.

　　Article 55 If the Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region is not able to discharge his or her duties for a short period， such duties shall temporarily be assumed by the secretaries of the departments in the order of precedence， which shall be stipulated⁸⁹ by law.

　　In the event that the office of Chief Executive becomes vacant， a new Chief Executive shall be selected within 120 days in accordance with the provisions of Article 47 of this Law. During the period of vacancy⁹⁰， his or her duties shall be assumed according to the provisions of paragraph 1 of this Article and the choice of the acting⁹¹ Chief Executive shall be reported to the Central People's Government for approval. The acting Chief Executive shall abide by the provisions of Article 49 of this Law.

　　Article 56 The Executive Council of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall be an organ for assisting the Chief Executive in policy-making.

　　Article 57 Members of the Executive Council of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall be appointed by the Chief Executive from among the principal officials of the executive authorities， members of the Legislative Council and public figures. Their appointment or removal shall be decided by the Chief Executive. The term of office of members of the Executive Council shall not extend beyond the expiry of the term of office of the Chief Executive who appoints them. Members of the original Executive Council shall remain in office until the new Chief Executive is selected.

　　Members of the Executive Council of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall be Chinese citizens who are permanent residents of the Region.

　　The Executive Council shall be composed of seven to eleven persons. The Chief Executive may， as he or she deems necessary， invite other persons concerned to sit in on meetings of the Council.

　　Article 58 The Executive Council of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall be presided over by the Chief Executive. The meeting of the Executive Council shall be held at least once each month. Except for the appointment， removal and disciplining of officials and the adoption⁹² of measures in emergencies， the Chief Executive shall consult the Executive Council before making important policy decisions， introducing bills to the Legislative Council， formulating⁹³ administrative regulations， or dissolving the Legislative Council.

　　If the Chief Executive does not accept a majority opinion of the Executive Council， he or she shall put the specific reasons on record.

　　Article 59 A Commission Against Corruption shall be established in the Macao Special Administrative Region. It shall function independently and its Commissioner shall be accountable to the Chief Executive.

　　Article 60 A Commission of Audit shall be established in the Macao Special Administrative Region. It shall function independently and its Director shall be accountable to the Chief Executive.

　　Section 2 The Executive Authorities

　　Article 61 The Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall be the executive authorities of the Region.

　　Article 62 The head of the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall be the Chief Executive of the Region. General secretariats， directorates of services， departments and divisions shall be established in the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region.

　　Article 63 The principal officials of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall be Chinese citizens who are permanent residents of the Region and have ordinarily resided in Macao for a continuous period of not less than 15 years.

　　The Principal officials of the Macao Special Administrative Region， at the time of assuming office， shall declare their property to the President of the Court of Final Appeal of the Macao Special Administrative Region for the record.

　　Article 64 The Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall exercise the following powers and functions：

　　（1） To formulate and implement policies；

　　（2） To conduct administrative affairs；

　　（3） To conduct external affairs as authorized by the Central people's Government under this Law；

　　（4） To draw up and introduce budgets and final accounts；

　　（5） To introduce bills and motions and to draft administrative regulations； and

　　（6） To designate officials to sit in on the meetings of the Legislative council to hear opinions or speak on behalf of the government.

　　Article 65 The Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region must abide by the law and be accountable to the Legislative Council of the Region： it shall implement laws passed by the Council and already in force； it shall present regular policy addresses to the Council； and it shall answer questions raised by members of the Council.

　　Article 66 The Executive authorities of the Macao Special Administrative Region may， when necessary， establish

　　Article 66 The Executive authorities of the Macao Special Administrative Region may， when necessary， establish advisory⁹⁵ bodies.

　　Section 3 The Legislature

　　Article 67 The Legislative Council of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall be the legislature of the Region.

　　Article 68 The Legislative Council of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall be composed of permanent residents of the Region.

　　The majority of its members shall be elected.

　　The method for forming the Legislative Council is prescribed in Annex II： Method for the Formation of the Legislative Council of the Macao Special Administrative Region.

　　Members of the Legislative Council， upon assuming office， shall declare their financial situation in accordance with legal procedures.

　　Article 69 The term of office of the Legislative Council of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall be four years， except for the first term which shall be stipulated otherwise.

　　Article 70 If the Legislative Council of the Macao Special Administrative Region is dissolved by the Chief Executive in accordance with the provisions of this Law， it must， within 90 days， be reconstituted in accordance with Article 68 of this Law.

　　Article 71 The Legislative Council of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall exercise the following powers and functions：

　　（1） To enact， amend， suspend or repeal⁹⁶ laws in accordance with the provisions of this Law and legal procedures；

　　（2） To examine and approve budgets introduced by the government； and examine the report on audit introduced by the government；

　　（3） To decide on taxation⁹⁷ according to government motions and approve debts to be undertaken by the government；

　　（4） To receive and debate the policy addresses of the Chief Executive；

　　（5） To debate any issue concerning public interests；

　　（6） To receive and handle complaints from Macao residents；

　　（7） If a motion initiated⁹⁸ jointly⁹⁹ by one-third of all the members of the Legislative Council charges the Chief Executive with serious breach¹⁰⁰ of law or dereliction of duty and if he or she refuses to resign， the Council may， by a resolution， give a mandate¹⁰¹ to the President of the Court of Final Appeal to form an independent investigation committee to carry out investigation. If the committee considers the evidence sufficient to substantiate¹⁰² such charges， the Council may pass a motion of impeachment¹⁰³ by a two-thirds majority of all its members and report it to the Central People's Government for decision； and

　　（8） To summon， as required when exercising the above-mentioned powers and functions， persons concerned to testify or give evidence.

　　Article 72 The Legislative Council of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall have a President and a Vice⁹⁴ President who shall be elected by and from among the members of the Legislative Council.

　　The President and Vice President of the Legislative Council shall be Chinese citizens who are permanent residents of the Region and have ordinarily resided in Macao for a continuous period of not less than 15 years.

　　Article 73 In case of absence of the President of the Legislative Council of the Macao Special Administrative Region， the Vice President shall act as President.

　　In the event that the office of President or of Vice President of the Legislative Council becomes vacant， new President or Vice President shall be elected.

　　Article 74 The President of the Legislative Council of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall exercise the following powers and functions：

　　（1） To preside over meetings；

　　（2） To decide on the agenda， giving priority to government bills for inclusion in the agenda upon the request of the Chief Executive；

　　（3） To decide on the dates of meetings；

　　（4） To call special sessions during the recess¹⁰⁴；

　　（5） To call emergency sessions on his or her own or upon the request of the Chief Executive； and

　　（6） To exercise other powers and functions as prescribed in the rules of procedure of the Legislative Council.

　　Article 75 Members of the Legislative Council of the Macao Special Administrative Region may introduce bills in accordance with the provisions of this Law and legal procedures. Bills which do not relate to public expenditure or political structure or the operation of the government may be introduced individually or jointly by members of the Council. The written consent of the Chief Executive shall be required before bills relating to government policies are introduced……

　　Article 76 Members of the Legislative Council of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall have the right to raise questions about the government work in accordance with legal procedures.

　　Article 77 The quorum¹⁰⁵ for the meeting of the Legislative Council of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall be not less than one half of all its members. Except otherwise prescribed by this Law， bills and motions shall be passed by more than half of all the members of the Council.

　　The rules of procedure of the Legislative Council shall be made by the Council on its own， provided that they do not contravene this Law.

　　Article 78 A bill passed by the Legislative Council of the Macao Special Administrative Region may take effect only after it is signed and promulgated by the Chief Executive.

　　Article 79 Members of the Legislative Council of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall be immune from legal action in respect of their statements and voting at meetings of the Council.

　　Article 80 Members of the Legislative Council of the Macao Special Administrative Region， excluding active criminals， shall not be subjected to arrest without the permission of the Council.

　　Article 81 The President of the Legislative Council of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall declare， according to the decision of the Council， that a member of the Council is no longer qualified for the office under any of the following circumstances：

　　（1） When he or she loses the ability to discharge his or her duties as a result of serious illness or other reasons；

　　（2） When he or she assumes posts which he or she is not permitted by law to hold concurrently¹⁰⁶；

　　（3） When he or she， with no valid reason， is absent from meetings for five consecutive times or for 15 times intermit tenthly without the consent of the President of the Legislative Council；

　　（4） When he or she breaches¹⁰⁷ his or her oath； and

　　（5） When he or she is convicted and sentenced to imprisonment for more than 30 days for a criminal offence committed within or outside the Region.

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