China's Principles and Policies on Handling Macao-Taiwan Relations

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 ◆ China's Principles and Policies on Handling Macao-Taiwan Relations

Relations after Macao's Return to China. The central government of China announced on January 15 1999 the basic principles and policies for handling relations between Macao and Taiwan following Macao's return to the motherland on December 20, 1999. According to the policies, unofficial exchanges between Macao and Taiwan, including economic, cultural and personnel exchanges, will remain basically unchanged after Macao's return. The central government will encourage and welcome Taiwan residents to invest in Macao and will protect their rights and interests in the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR). The air and shipping links between Macao and Taiwan will be treated as "special regional links" operated under the principle of "one China" and the principle of mutual benefits. Taiwan residents can enter and exit Macao in accordance with relevant laws in Macao SAR. Current entry and exit procedures for Taiwan residents visiting Macao will basically remain unchanged. The central government will arrangement travel documents for Taiwan residents visiting Macao SAR. Education, science, culture, press, sports, medicine, health, women, youth and other non-governmental and religious organizations in the Macao SAR can maintain and develop ties with their counterparts in Taiwan on the basis of equality, non-interference and mutual respect. Official exchanges between Macao and Taiwan, including the consummation of contracts and establishing institutions, must be approved by the central government, or the chief executive of Macao SAR entrusted by the central government. The existing Taiwan institutions in Macao can continue operations in the new Macao SAR under appropriate names. Institutions and all staffers in Macao must strictly abide by the Basic Law of the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, and operate in strict accordance with the "one China" principle based on Qian Qichen's announcement. (1999.1.dhq.n) (1999.2.lgl)