<item><hi format=bold>Independence:</hi> none (territory of Portugal; Portugal signed an agreement with China on 13 April 1987 to return Macau to China on 20 December 1999; in the joint declaration, China promises to respect Macau's existing social and economic systems and lifestyle for 50 year after transition)
<item><hi format=bold>National holiday:</hi> Day of Portugal, 10 June (1580)
<item><hi format=bold>Constitution:</hi> 17 February 1976, Organic Law of Macau; basic law drafted primarily by Beijing awaiting final approval
<item><hi format=bold>Legal system:</hi> Portuguese civil law system
<item><hi format=bold>Suffrage:</hi> 18 years of age; universal
<item><hi format=bold>Executive branch:</hi>
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<item>• <hi format=ital>chief of state:</hi> President (of Portugal) Mario Alberto SOARES (since 9 March 1986)
<item>• <hi format=ital>head of government:</hi> Governor Gen. Vasco Joachim Rocha VIEIRA (since 20 March 1991)
<item>• <hi format=ital>cabinet:</hi> Consultative Council; consists of five members appointed by the governor, two nominated by the governor, five members elected for a four-year term (2 represent administrative bodies, 1 represents moral, cultural, and welfare interests, and 2 economic interests), and three statuatory members
<item><hi format=bold>Legislative Assembly:</hi> elections last held on 10 March 1991; results—percent of vote by party NA; seats—(23 total; 8 elected by universal suffrage, 8 by indirect suffrage, and 7 appointed by the governor) number of seats by party NA
<item><hi format=bold>Political parties and leaders:</hi> Association to Defend the Interests of Macau; Macau Democratic Center; Group to Study the Development of Macau; Macau Independent Group
<item><hi format=bold>Other political or pressure groups:</hi> wealthy Macanese and Chinese representing local interests, wealthy pro-Communist merchants representing China's interests; in January 1967 the Macau Government acceded to Chinese demands that gave China veto power over administration
<item><hi format=bold>Diplomatic representation in US:</hi> none (Chinese territory under Portuguese administration)
<item><hi format=bold>US diplomatic representation:</hi> the US has no offices in Macau, and US interests are monitored by the US Consulate General in Hong Kong
<item><hi format=bold>Flag:</hi> the flag of Portugal is used