A national security bill for Macau has been submitted to the city's legislature by the government, with minor changes to a draft unveiled in October.
A controversial idea to punish 'preparatory behaviour' for sedition and theft of state secrets has been dropped after a 40-day consultation ended on November 30.
People preparing to take such action but who did not do so would not be punished under the new bill, said Secretary for Administration and Justice Florinda da Rosa Silva Chan.
However, preparation for treason, secession and subversion will still be punishable.
Macau Chief Executive Edmund Ho Hau-wah and Ms Chan announced yesterday the government's move to table the bill based on Article 23 of Macau's Basic Law.
Mr Ho is due to visit state leaders in Beijing tomorrow to report on his work.