MACAO - The Macao Special Administrative Region government and the Office of the Commissioner of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in the Macao SAR on Wednesday voiced strong dissatisfaction with and resolute objection to the so-called annual report on Macao made by the European Union.

The Macao SAR government stated that the report makes certain comments on the political and social development of the Macao SAR that are inconsistent with the facts and carry prejudice, including unwarranted accusations regarding amendments to laws such as the Legislative Assembly Election Law.

The affairs of Macao are purely China's internal affairs, the Macao SAR government said. The EU's repeated issuance of such reports year after year constitutes interference in China's internal affairs and in the affairs of the Macao SAR, in violation of the basic principles of international law.

Pointing out that, as an important partner of China and its Macao SAR, the EU has on many occasions expressed its support for "one country, two systems" and its implementation in Macao, the Macao SAR government urged the EU to keep its word and do more to promote the development of relations between the two sides.

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A spokesperson for the Office of the Commissioner of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in the Macao SAR said, in response to the so-called report, that the establishment and improvement of the legal system and enforcement mechanism for safeguarding national security in Macao is a legal guarantee for implementing the principle of "patriots administering Macao" and maintaining national security.

They help safeguard the basic rights of Macao residents and the long-term prosperity and stability of Macao, and also protect the legitimate rights and interests of people from various countries and regions in Macao, including those from Europe, the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson stressed that Macao's affairs are purely China's internal affairs, and any external interference, attacks, or smears are doomed to fail. The EU was urged to face the facts, put itself in the right position, and immediately cease its year-after-year political manipulation, as well as any form of interference in the affairs of the Macao SAR and China's internal affairs.