China Control on Macao

China is strengthening federal control over its Macau territory. Like Hong Kong, the area is officially referred to as a Special Administrative Region. For many years, Macau operated under the Chinese “one state, two systems” policy with extensive self-government powers.

Recently, however, China has implemented a cooperation policy between Macau and the mainland city of Guangzhou. It has also imposed restrictions on businesses referred to as Casinos and manipulated a local election.

The new partnership with Guangzhou includes changes in tax laws and other policies. The aim is to move Macau’s economy away from the gambling industry and into areas such as finance, high technology, traditional Chinese medicine, and others.

Ben Lee is a casino advisor based in Macau. He emailed VOA that China never wanted gambling to become a major part of Macau’s economy. China never wants Macau to be economically dependent on the mainland.

The new casino measures are intended to limit the number of gaming operations and involve state supervisory authorities in casino operations. American companies operate six casino businesses in Macau. Lee said this fact fueled China’s increased control over the gambling industry.

Lee noted that Macau’s game industry made $ 45 billion in 2013 and $ 37 billion in 2019. “This is money that flowed into and out of Macau from the Chinese economy,” wrote Lee, adding that much of that money went to the United States.

In July, 21 people voting for parliamentary elections were excluded from the competition. All were members of opposition parties. The parties sought legal action against the government decision, but their appeal was dismissed in court.

Parliamentary elections took place in September. Forty-two percent of the electorate took part, the lowest level since China came to power in 1999.

The election officer in Macau reportedly blamed COVID-19 and bad weather for the drop in voter numbers.

The European Union criticized the interference in the Macau elections as a violation of the rights guaranteed by Macau law.

The Macau government responded by condemning the EU statement as an example of outside interference.

I am Jonathan Evans.

Jonathan Evans adapted this story for Learning English based on a VOA News report. Caty Weaver was the editor.

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Words in this story

Casino – n. a building or room with games such as roulette or blackjack for gambling

manipulate – v. to operate skillfully and, above all, with the intent to deceive