Topic summary
Macao Basic Law

The Basic Law of the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China (Chinese: 中華人民共和國澳門特別行政區基本法, Portuguese: Lei Básica da Região Administrativa Especial de Macau da República Popular da China) is the organic law that establishes the Macau Special Administrative Region, replacing the Organic Statute of Macau. It was adopted on 31 March 1993 by China's National People's Congress and promulgated by President Jiang Zemin; it came into effect on 20 December 1999, following the handover of Macau from Portugal to China.
Under the law's basic principle of "one country, two systems", the socialist system and policies of China are excluded from Macau. Instead, Macau will continue its capitalist system and way of life from before 1999 for at least 50 years in 2049. As an organic law, the Basic Law also describes sources of law, the branches of government, the relationship between Macau and the Chinese Central People's Government (State Council), and the fundamental rights and duties of Macau residents.