20th Anniversary of the Promulgation of the Basic Law of Macao

The Basic Law of the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China was adopted by the First Session of the Eighth National People’s Congress on March 31, 1993, promulgated by Order No. 3 of the President of the People’s Republic of China on March 31, 1993, and effective on December 20, 1999.

On April 13, 1987, the Chinese and Portuguese Governments signed the Joint Declaration on the Question of Macao, affirming that the Government of the People’s Republic of China will resume the exercise of sovereignty over Macao with effect from December 20, 1999.

Upholding national unity and territorial integrity, contributing to social stability and economic development, and taking account of its history and realities, the People’s Republic of China has decided that, upon China’s resumption of the exercise of sovereignty over Macao, a Macao Special Administrative Region will be established in accordance with the provisions of Article 31 of the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China, and that under the principle of “one country, two systems”, the socialist system and policies will not be practiced in Macao.

Therefore, the National People’s Congress hereby enacts the Basic Law of the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, prescribing the systems to be practiced in the Macao Special Administrative Region, in order to ensure the implementation of the basic policies of the People’s Republic of China regarding Macao.

The Basic Law is a national law, can also be called as a constitutional law and is the basic law of Macao. This law came into effect on December 20, 1999. The returning of Macao to the country is the joint wish of people of all nationalities in the country, including people in Macao. Since then, Macao has been in a new era of development in the history, making the event an important milestone in the history of development of Chinese Nation.

In the 13 years since its returning and with the great support from the Central Government, the Government of Macao Special Administrative Region performs administration strictly according to the Basic Law of Macao Special Administrative Region, fully promotes the developments and reforms in all social fields and makes remarkable achievements in all aspects including economy, civil life, politics, law, culture and society. As a result, Macao Special Administrative Region is developing along the road of “one country, two systems”, “Macao people administrating Macao” and high degree of autonomy, with gratifying prospects.

Upon the 20th Anniversary of the Promulgation of the Basic Law of Macao, a set of

stamps is issucd as a memory.

Legal Affairs Bureau of the Macao Special Administrative Region Government

Translation: C&C - Translation Centre, Ltd.

The Stamps:

 The FDC with Stamps:

The Post Mark:

Dados Técnicos/Technical Data

Valor dos Selos/Stamps Value: set of two stamps of 1.50 and 5.00 Patacas

Desenho/Design: Victor Hugo Marreiros

Data emissão/Issue date: 31.03.2013

Impressor/Printer: Österreichische Staatsdruckerei, Austria

Impressão/Print: Offset Lithography with Embossing and Varnish

Papel/Paper: Paper with Security Fibers

Picotagem/Perforation: 14 x 14