China opposes foreign interference in Macao affairs: spokesperson

BEIJING - China firmly opposes interference in the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) affairs and China's internal affairs by any external forces, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Monday.

The spokesperson made the remarks in a press release answering a query on a Macao-related issue.

On July 31, the Macao Court of Final Appeal decided to dismiss appeals filed by three candidate teams and to uphold the decision of the Electoral Affairs Commission for the Legislative Assembly Election to exclude their candidate lists from the upcoming election. Spokespersons of the U.S. State Department and the European External Action Service then voiced their opposition to the disqualification of candidates.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said China deplores and rejects it that relevant sides have time and again made wanton comments on affairs of China's Hong Kong and Macao SARs.

Their moves are in grave violation of international law and basic norms governing international relations, the spokesperson said.

Supporting the Basic Law of the Macao SAR of the People's Republic of China and pledging allegiance to the SAR are the legal requirements for members of the Legislative Assembly, said the spokesperson.

The ruling made by the Court of Final Appeal of the Macao SAR, based on laws and facts, has implemented the fundamental principle of "patriots administering Macao" and safeguarded the constitutional order as established by the Constitution and the Basic Law. It has also kept the solemn election of the seventh term of the Macao Legislative Assembly free from irregularities, and demonstrated the judicial justice and authority of the Macao SAR. "The relevant decision is supported by all sectors in Macao, and we firmly support it," said the spokesperson.

Since Macao's return, "one country, two systems" has made remarkable achievements. The wide-ranging rights and freedoms enjoyed by the people in Macao are fully protected under law. These facts shall not be distorted, the spokesperson said.

"I want to stress that Macao is China's SAR. China will continue to resolutely ensure the steady and sustained implementation of the successful practice of "one country, two systems" with Macao characteristics. In the meantime, we will firmly oppose interference in Macao affairs and China's internal affairs by any external forces," said the spokesperson.