U.S. Department of State Annual Report on International Religious Freedom for 2001 - China (Macau)

On December 20, 1999, Macau reverted from Portuguese to Chinese administration (the handover) and became a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People's Republic of China (PRC) with a high degree of autonomy. The Basic Law (mini-constitution) and 1998 Religious Freedom Ordinance provide for freedom of religion and prohibit discrimination on the basis of religious practice, and the Macau SAR Government generally respects these rights in practice.

There was no change in the status of respect for religious freedom during the period covered by this report. While in general the Government does not interfere with the practices of Falun Gong, a spiritual movement that does not consider itself a religion, police harassed some practitioners in public parks during the period covered by this report. During the handover anniversary ceremonies in December 2000, police prevented foreign (i.e. non-Macau), practitioners of Falun Gong from entering Macau.

The generally amicable relationship among religions in society contributed to religious freedom.

The U.S. Government discusses religious freedom issues with the Government in the context of its overall dialog and policy of promoting human rights. American officials assigned to the U.S. Consulate General in Hong Kong, which has responsibility for covering Macau, meet regularly with Macau religious leaders.

Section I. Religious Demography

Macau, on the south China coast, has a total area of 13 square miles and its population is approximately 450,000. According to 1996 census figures, of the more than 355,000 persons surveyed, 60.9 percent had no religious affiliation, 16.8 percent were Buddhist, 6.7 percent were Roman Catholic, 1.7 percent were Protestant, and 13.9 percent were "other" (a combination of Buddhists, Taoists, and followers of Confucianism). The number of active Falun Gong practitioners declined from approximately 100 persons to about 20 after the movement was banned in the PRC in July 1999.

Members of the Government, the judiciary, and the civil service belong to a wide range of faiths.

Missionaries are active in Macau, and represent a wide range of faiths with a majority being Catholic.

Section II. Status of Religious Freedom

Legal/Policy Framework

On December 20, 1999, Macau reverted from Portuguese to Chinese sovereignty and became a SAR of the PRC. The Basic Law – the mini-constitution – provides for freedom of conscience, freedom of religious belief, and freedom to preach and to conduct and participate in religious activities. The July 1998 Freedom of Religion Ordinance, which continued to apply after the handover, provides for freedom of religion, privacy of religious belief, freedom of religious assembly, freedom to hold religious processions, and freedom of religious education. The Macau SAR Government generally respects these rights in practice although there was at least one exception. There is no state religion.

The Religious Freedom Ordinance requires the registration of religious organizations. This is handled by the SAR's Identification Services Office. There have been no reports of discrimination in the registration process.

Missionaries are free to conduct missionary activities and are active in Macau. More than 30,000 children are enrolled in Catholic schools, and a large number of influential non-Christians have received a Christian education. Religious entities may use electronic media to preach.

The Freedom of Religion Ordinance stipulates that religious groups may maintain and develop relations with religious groups abroad.

The Catholic Church recognizes the Pope as the head of the Church. In April 2001, the Holy See appointed a coadjutor Bishop for the Macau diocese. Editorials in the local Catholic newspaper noted this as an example of the SAR's Government's independence and respect for religious freedom as provided for in the Basic Law.

Restrictions on Religious Freedom

Practitioners of Falun Gong have not applied for registration with the Identification Services Office because a Macau lawyer advised them that their application for registration would not be approved as the Falun Gong was banned in the PRC in July 1999. The Identification Services Office has not issued any instructions regarding the Falun Gong, and senior SAR Government officials have reaffirmed that local practitioners of Falun Gong may continue their legal activities without government interference.

According to Falun Gong practitioners, the group's materials, available for sale in two Macau stores before Falun Gong was banned on the mainland in July 1999, were removed from the shelves by store management. However, the Government has taken no action to limit their availability.

Abuses of Religious Freedom

During the period covered by this report, Falun Gong practitioners continued their daily exercises in public parks; however, they were subjected to periodic harassment by the police. Police photographed practitioners and occasionally checked their identification documents. On at least one occasion, the police took a practitioner to the police station to check his documents rather than conducting the check on site.

In December 2000, Chinese President Jiang Zemin visited Macau to celebrate the 1-year anniversary of Macau's return to Chinese sovereignty. During his visit, Jiang stated that the Macau Government should not allow anyone to stage any activities in Macau against the Central Government or to split the country in any way. Dozens of Falun Gong practitioners and democracy activists from Hong Kong, Australia and the United Kingdom were barred from entering the SAR during the visit. Macau authorities claimed that this was because they were planning to participate in an illegal demonstration. The Public Assembly Law grants Macau residents, but not foreigners or PRC nationals resident outside of Macau, the right to demonstrate. Police at the port of entry allegedly beat one Australian practitioner. A government investigation into the incident rejected allegations of police brutality, and the practitioner did not appeal the results. Local practitioners were allowed to demonstrate at a park about a mile from the anniversary celebrations in December 2000.

There were no reports of religious prisoners or detainees.

Forced Religious Conversion

There were no reports of forced religious conversion, including of minor U.S. citizens who had been abducted or illegally removed from the United States, or of the Government's refusal to allow such citizens to be returned to the United States.

Section III. Societal Attitudes

Relations among the various religious communities are amicable. Citizens generally are very tolerant of other religious views and practices. Public ceremonies and dedications often include prayers by both Christian and Buddhist groups.

Section IV. U.S. Government Policy

The U.S. Government discusses religious freedom issues with the Government in the context of its overall dialog and policy of promoting human rights. Officers from the Consulate General in Hong Kong protested the harassment of Falun Gong practitioners in December 2000 and January 2001, stating that the ability of Falun Gong practitioners in Macau to practice without restriction is an important element of religious freedom, civil liberties and autonomy. Officers from the Consulate General in Hong Kong meet regularly with Macau religious leaders.