Independence: none (territory of Portugal; Portugal signed an agreement with China on 13 April 1987 to return Macau to China on 20 December 1999; in the joint declaration, China promises to respect Macau's existing social and economic systems and lifestyle for 50 year after transition)
National holiday: Day of Portugal, 10 June (1580)
Constitution: 17 February 1976, Organic Law of Macau; basic law drafted primarily by Beijing awaiting final approval
Legal system: Portuguese civil law system
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President (of Portugal) Mario Alberto SOARES (since 9
March 1986)
head of government: Governor Gen. Vasco Joachim Rocha VIEIRA (since 20
March 1991)
cabinet: Consultative Council; consists of five members appointed by
the governor, two nominated by the governor, five members elected for
a four-year term (2 represent administrative bodies, 1 represents
moral, cultural, and welfare interests, and 2 economic interests), and
three statuatory members
Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly: elections last held on 10 March 1991 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (23 total, 8 elected by universal suffrage, 8 by indirect suffrage, and 7 appointed by the governor) number of seats by party NA
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: Association to Defend the Interests of
Macau; Macau Democratic Center; Group to Study the Development of
Macau; Macau Independent Group
Other political or pressure groups: wealthy Macanese and Chinese representing local interests, wealthy pro-Communist merchants representing China's interests; in January 1967 the Macau Government acceded to Chinese demands that gave China veto power over administration