Macau - Government
Based on the etymolgy of Macau, it was name derived from the Chinese ama-gao, or “Bay of Ama,” for Ama, the patron goddess of sailors. The Government system in this country is the executive-led limited democracy; a special administrative region of the People's Republic of China type and the different Administrative divisions includes: none (special administrative region of the People's Republic of China)
National symbols
Lotus blossom; national colors: green, white, yellow.
The flag
The National flag of Macau has green with a lotus flower above a stylized bridge and water in white, beneath an arc of five gold, five-pointed stars: one large in the center of the arc and two smaller on either side; the lotus is the floral emblem of Macau, the three petals represent the peninsula and two islands that make up Macau; the five stars echo those on the flag of China.
Info
The National Anthem
| Title | |
|---|---|
| Lyric/music |
Info
More about the government of Macau
| Date of Independence | none (special administrative region of China) |
|---|---|
| National holiday | National Day (anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China), 1 October (1949); note - 20 December (1999) is celebrated as Macau Special Administrative Region Establishment Day |
| Legal system | civil law system based on the Portuguese model |
| International law organization participation | |
| Constitution | |
| History | Previous 1976 (Organic Statute of Macau, under Portuguese authority); latest adopted 31 March 1993, effective 20 December 1999 (Basic Law of the Macau Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China serves as Macau's constitution) |
| Amendment process | Proposed by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC), the People’s Republic of China State Council, and the Macau Special Administrative Region; submittal of proposals to the NPC requires two-thirds majority vote by the Legislative Assembly of Macau, approval by two thirds of Macau's deputies to the NPC, and consent of the Macau chief executive; final passage requires approval by the NPC |
| Citizenship | |
| Executive Branch | |
| Chief of state | President of China XI Jinping (since 14 March 2013) |
| Head of government | Chief Executive Sam Hou FAI (since 20 December 2024) |
| Cabinet | Executive Council appointed by the chief executive |
| Elections/appointments | president indirectly elected by National People's Congress for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 10 March 2023 (next to be held in March 2028); chief executive chosen by a 400-member Election Committee for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 13 October 2024 (next to be held in 2029) |
| Election results | 2024: Sam Hou FAI (unopposed; received 394 out of 400 votes) 2019: HO lat Seng (unopposed; received 392 out of 400 votes) |
| Legislative branch | |
| Legislature name | Legislative Assembly (Regiao Administrativa Especial de Macau) |
| Legislative structure | Unicameral |
| Number of seats | 33 (14 directly elected, 12 indirectly elected, 7 appointed) |
| Electoral system | Mixed |
| Scope of elections | Full renewal |
| Term in office | 4 years |
| Most recent election date | 9/12/2021 |
| Parties elected and seats per party | United Citizens Association of Macau (ACUM) (3); Union for Development (UPD) (2); Macau-Guangdong Union (UGM) (2); Union for Promoting Progress (UPP) (2); Alliance for a Happy Home (ABL) (2); New Hope (NE) (2); Association of Synergy of Macau (PS) (1) |
| Expected date of next election | September 2025 |
| Judicial branch | |
| Highest court(s) | Court of Final Appeal of Macau Special Administrative Region (consists of the court president and 2 associate justices) |
| Judge selection and term of office | Justices appointed by the Macau chief executive upon the recommendation of an independent commission of judges, lawyers, and "eminent" persons; judge tenure NA |
| Subordinate courts | Court of Second Instance; Court of First instance; Lower Court; Administrative Court |
| Diplomatic representation in the US | |
| Diplomatic representation from the US | |
| Embassy | The US has no offices in Macau; US Consulate General in Hong Kong is accredited to Macau |
Key Political parties and their leaders in Macau
Info
International organization participation
All Important Facts about Macau
Want to know more about Macau? Check all different factbooks for Macau below.
