The Macao Legislative Assembly on Thursday passed a bill on the Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the Macao Special Administrative Region, providing a stronger legal foundation for the body, which was previously governed by an administrative regulation.

The SAR government and legislators said the law will enhance the effectiveness of national security efforts in the city, helping safeguard economic development and public well-being.

The Macao SAR government established the committee in 2018 through an administrative regulation. Chaired by the chief executive, the body is responsible for a range of duties related to safeguarding national security.

The bill, submitted to the Legislative Assembly on Feb 3, was passed in general discussion and voting on Feb 10. It focuses on regulating the committee's operation.

According to a government statement, the law refines provisions regarding the committee's nature, duties, powers, composition and operations. It also authorizes the committee to determine whether matters involve national security interests and to make binding decisions.

The law stipulates that the committee's decisions and opinions are not subject to appeal or legal proceedings, and that its work shall be free from interference by any entity or individual in the SAR.

It will take effect the day after its publication in the Official Gazette of the Macao SAR, the statement said.

Following the passage, a government spokesperson expressed gratitude to the Legislative Assembly, various sectors of society and Macao residents for their "strong sense of responsibility and steadfast patriotism".

The spokesperson said the legislation reflects the integration of the central government's overall jurisdiction with the SAR's high degree of autonomy.

"It facilitates national security advisers in supervising, guiding, coordinating and supporting Macao's efforts in safeguarding national security, ensuring the city advances in the right direction," the spokesperson said.

The representative added that amid accelerating global changes and a complex international environment, new challenges to national security continue to emerge. The SAR government will fully support the committee in carrying out its duties in accordance with the law and will continue to improve the legal framework and enforcement mechanisms.

Lawmaker Grace Wong Kitcheng told China Daily that the law will enable the SAR government to advance national security work more effectively and efficiently, conduct in-depth analysis of local intelligence and international developments, and strictly implement the central government's decisions and directives.

This will ensure Macao's national security efforts remain at the forefront, she said.

Wong added that the law will help build a more robust mechanism for safeguarding national security by strengthening top-level design, while also consolidating the positive momentum of social stability and economic development in Macao.

gangwen@chinadailyhk.com