EU and China clash over Macau election ban
- The EU criticises the decision to block 21 opposition candidates from standing for office, saying it ‘curtails democratic debate’
- Beijing rejects the criticism and complains it is a ‘serious violation of international law’
Following the ruling, the EU issued a two-paragraph statement that described the decision as “a detrimental step that runs counter to the rights guaranteed in Macau’s Basic Law”, referring to the mini-constitution implemented after it was returned to Chinese rule under the “one country, two systems” principle that also applies in Hong Kong.
The EU said the decision “undermines political pluralism and curtails democratic debate”, adding that protected rights and freedoms should be upheld.
Hours after the statement was published, Beijing’s mission to the EU described the statement as “a serious violation of international law and the basic norms of international relations” and said that Macau’s affairs “are entirely China’s internal affairs and allow no interference from any external force”.
“For quite some time, the EU has repeatedly pointed fingers at China over the Hong Kong and Macau SARs’ affairs. It needs to be made clear to the EU side that the Chinese people will never accept preaching from those who feel they have the right to lecture others, and that attempts to interfere in the name of ‘democracy and freedom’ are doomed to fail,” the statement continued.
