Long-form name: none

Type: territory of Portugal; scheduled to revert to China in 1999

Capital: Macau

Administrative divisions: 2 districts (concelhos, singular--concelho); Ilhas, Macau

Independence: none (territory of Portugal); Portugal signed an agreement with China on 13 April 1987 to return Macau to China on 20 December 1999; in the joint declaration, China promises to respect Macau's existing social and economic systems and lifestyle for 50 years after transition

Constitution: 17 February 1976, Organic Law of Macau

Legal system: Portuguese civil law system

National holiday: Day of Portugal, 10 June

Branches: governor assisted by five secretaries-adjunct (all appointed by president of Portugal), 17-member Legislative Assembly (five appointed by governor, six elected by direct and universal suffrage, six elected indirectly by various groups and associations)

Leader: @m5Chief of State--President (of Portugal) Mario Alberto SOARES (since 9 March 1986); @m5Head of Government--Governor Carlos MELANCIA (since 3 July 1987)

Suffrage: Portuguese, Chinese, and foreign residents over 18

Elections: conducted every four years

Political parties and leaders: Association to Defend the Interests of Macau; Macau Democratic Center; Group to Study the Development of Macau; Macau Independent Group

Other political or pressure groups: wealthy Macanese and Chinese representing local interests, wealthy pro-Communist merchants representing China's interests; in January 1967 the Macau Government acceded to Chinese demands that gave China veto power over administration

Member of: Multifiber Agreement

Diplomatic representation: as Chinese territory under Portuguese administration, Macanese interests in the US are represented by Portugal; US--the US has no offices in Macau and US interests are monitored by the US Consulate General in Hong Kong

Flag: the flag of Portugal is used

NOTE: The information regarding Macau on this page is re-published from the 1989 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Macau Government 1989 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Macau Government 1989 should be addressed to the CIA.