TNAG-1145-FCO40-1425-Relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-Macau-1982 — Page 79

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5. In 1951 Macau was proclaimed an Overseas Province of

Portugal. The Portuguese revolution of 1974 and subsequent

political upheavals led to considerable changes in the

administration of the territory. A Statute of the territory of

Macau was promulgated in February 1976 defining Macau as a

"collective entity with internal legislative sovereignty",

which would enjoy "administrative, economic, financial and

legislative autonomy". It prescribed the powers of the

Governor and Legislative Assembly (the latter having a

4-year term), provided for an Advisory Council, and defined

various judicial and administrative procedures. It required

also that the Governor be appointed after consultation with

the Macau Legislative Assembly, although in practice, the

latter plays little if any rôle in his selection. Moves

begun in 1973 to introduce an element of election to Macau's

Legislative Assembly were extended to allow for the direct

election of six members of the 17-man Assembly. Six others

were to be indirectly elected as representatives of "moral,

cultural, welfare and economic interests" (ie from business

and charity associations), and five to be appointed by the

Governor. The Portuguese Constitution of April 1976 described

the status of Macau as a "territory under Portuguese adminis-

tration" distinct from other Portuguese overseas territories

(eg Azores and Madeira) which were described as "Portuguese

territory defined by history". Article 306 of the Constitu-

tion confirmed the Statute.

6.

Portuguese troops were withdrawn in 1975-76, and were

replaced by a locally recruited security force of about

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/2,000