Has the Chinese Focus on Hong Kong Led to the Neglect of Macau?

Abstract

service is unprepared, and there may be a severe shortage of qualified, experienced senior and mid-level officials. Law and order are greatly compromised, as terrorism has escalated from past years' gang fights, street crimes, and arson.' There is real danger that this second example of the operation of one country, two systems could turn out badly, despite the apparent cordiality of the Chinese-Portuguese negotiations and the process of transition. Beijing openly requested that Macau's government preserve law and order on the eve of the handover2 and unilaterally sent a group of the special corps from Guangdong Military Region to Macau to help.3 Without the consent of Lisbon, China unilaterally announced the stationing of troops in the Macau Special Administrative Region. In the last decade, by focusing on Hong Kong's transfer, the world and perhaps the senior leaders in Beijing have tended to neglect Macau and the manner of the transfer of sovereignty back to China. The reversion of Macau now seems problematic, especially in comparison with that of Hong Kong. China did not pressure the Portuguese as it had the British when they did not meet Chinese demands on Hong Kong. In Beijing's agenda of unification, the successful reversion of Hong Kong and Macau is important as a prelude to the unification of Taiwan.4 Even though Hong Kong's reversion may be regarded as a success,5 the possible failure of a smooth transition in Macau would adversely affect Chinese expectations of realizing the unification of Taiwan. It is its significance for the Taiwan issue that makes the handover of Macau more important than its small size and position as a back