MACAO - The Macao Special Administrative Region government expressed strong opposition on Thursday to the Macao-related content in a recent so-called annual report released by the US Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC), saying it distorts facts and misrepresents Macao's human rights situation.

The Macao SAR government noted that since Macao's return to the motherland, the city has fully and faithfully implemented the principles of "one country, two systems" and the Basic Law of the Macao SAR. Over the past quarter-century, Macao has achieved rapid economic growth, social stability and harmony, and steady improvements in people's livelihoods.

The SAR government added that Macao's legal system is sound, its judiciary operates independently, and residents lawfully enjoy extensive rights and freedoms, including the freedom of speech, religion, the press, and movement. It emphasized that human rights in Macao are fully protected.

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The SAR government urged the relevant US body to set aside prejudice, respect facts, stop smearing Macao's human rights situation, and stop using human rights as a pretext to interfere in Macao affairs, which are China's internal affairs.

The spokesperson for the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China in the Macao SAR also voiced strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to the so-called CECC report, calling it a deliberate attack on the SAR's political system and a blatant interference in Macao affairs and China's internal affairs.

According to the commissioner's office, Macao has seen its most successful period of development since its return to the motherland, with the "one country, two systems" practice with Macao characteristics delivering significant achievements. The sense of gain, happiness, and security among Macao residents has markedly increased, the spokesperson said, adding that any attempt to undermine Macao's prosperity and stability is doomed to fail.

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The spokesperson pointed out that the United States turns a blind eye to its own flawed democracy and widely criticized human rights record while positioning itself as a "world policeman". The US side "should face reality, engage in self-reflection, and immediately cease all forms of interference in Macao affairs and China's internal affairs", the spokesperson said.