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The paper noted that the general prediction among community leaders was that about 10,000 people, all in all, would leave the territory if they were not treated fairly.
Chairman of Macau's Legislative Assembly Carlos d'Assumpcao, told the media that the agreement had taken care of the interests of all parties, particularly the interests of Portuguese nationals.
The Acting Governor of Macau, Dr Carlos Monjardino, said the agreement was very good and considerate as it clearly showed that China had given thorough considerations to the question of nationality for local-born Portuguese.
Vice-chairman of the Macau Legislative Assembly, Tsui Tak-kei, told Commercial Radio-C that during the transition period, both the Portuguese and Chinese governments should make efforts to develop Macau's economy as well as participating in the drafting of the Basic Law for the territory.
Mr Tsui stressed that the major task during the transition was to encourage the official use of Chinese language and the localisation of
the civil service.
His views were shared by newly appointed CPPCC delegate Tao Kai-yue.
Chairman of Macau's Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Chinese NPC
Standing Committee member Ma Man-kei told reporters that the agreement
had taken into account the interests of various sectors of the enclave, as well as history and tradition.
Mr Ma said the agreement should be welcomed by Macau residents and
it would also dismiss the fear among Macau-born Portuguese nationals.
He said holders of Portuguese passports were now given a choice to whether stay in Macau or return to Portugal after the territory reverted to China. Anyone who should choose to stay then would be regarded as local residents.
Another Legislative Assembly member Alexandre Ho said that the passport arrangement had made ethnic Chinese living in Macau feel more at ease because the agreement had to a certain extent secured their travel "facilities".
Mr Ho felt that education programme in Macau should be
strengthened in the transition period and that the Macau government should absorb more local Chinese people into the administration.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.