Macau unveiled a draft security bill yesterday that appears softer than the Hong Kong version that spurred a massive protest in 2003.
Macau Chief Executive Edmund Ho Hau-wah said it was a 'sacred duty' to enact a national security law, given Article 23 of its Basic Law. Mr Ho also cited the city's reliance on the mainland for its well-being.
'The nation's safety, stability, prosperity and strength are of vital importance for Macau's stability and sustainable development. Defending national security is the sacred duty of the SAR government and Macau people,' Mr Ho said.
In a statement, the Hong Kong government said it would focus on economic issues and had no plan for security legislation 'at the present stage'.
'The most pressing commitments of the government are to tackle economic and people's livelihood issues,' the statement said.
The central government's liaison office in Hong Kong said it 'totally agreed' with the Hong Kong government's decision to keep economic issues on the front burner. A spokesman for the liaison office told Xinhua Macau's security legislation was an internal matter for the city.
The Macau government yesterday released a consultation paper containing the draft bill and began a consultation period till the end of next month.