United States Department of State

Macau United States Department of State

Macau became a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People's Republic of China (PRC) on December 20, 1999. Macau's status since reverting to Chinese sovereignty is defined in the Sino-Portuguese Joint Declaration (1987) and the Basic Law. Under the concept of "one country, two systems" articulated in these documents, Macau enjoys a high degree of autonomy in economic matters, and its economic system is to remain unchanged for at least fifty years. The GOM maintains a transparent, non-discriminatory, and free-market economy. Macau has separate membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO).