Macao, China Special Administrative Region has initiated legislative reforms to enhance national security structures and strengthen anti-money laundering and terrorism financing frameworks in trade facilitation systems ****.
Macao Tightens Trade Rules and Security Oversight
New laws will target money laundering in customs systems and create a national security committee.
What changed
Committee for Safeguarding National Security to be established to strengthen top-level governance.
Laws to be amended to prevent money laundering and terrorism financing in trade systems.
Digital compliance tools and the Single Window System will be upgraded for better risk management.
Who it affects
Trade operators using the Single Window System must prepare for stricter compliance checks.
Government agencies must align trade facilitation platforms with international standards.
Compliance Analysis: Macao SAR’s Legislative Reforms on National Security and Anti-Money Laundering (AML)/Counter-Terrorism Financing (CTF) in Trade Facilitation
1. Overview of Legislative Reforms
Macao SAR is enhancing its national security structures and strengthening AML/CTF frameworks within trade facilitation systems through targeted legislative and administrative reforms. These reforms align with the 2026 Policy Address and focus on:
- National security legal system: Expanding and refining laws to address emerging threats, including terrorism and money laundering1, 2.
- AML/CTF compliance: Updating existing laws to reflect international standards and evolving crime trends1.
- Trade facilitation: Streamlining cross-border administrative services and improving regulatory oversight2.
2. Key Legislative and Regulatory Measures
2.1 National Security Enhancements
| Regulation | Key Requirement | Deadline/Threshold | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Macao SAR National Security Committee Law | Establish a legal framework for the Macao SAR National Security Committee, including its organizational structure and operational mechanisms1. | Drafting to commence in 20261. | Macao SAR Government |
| Anti-Terrorism Legislation | Introduce laws to prevent, investigate, and suppress terrorist acts, with public consultation targeted for 20261. | Public consultation in 20261. | Legislative Assembly |
| Civil Defense Plan | Update the Civil Defense Master Plan and specialized contingency plans, including technological upgrades to the "Emergency Command Application Platform"1. | Ongoing, with phased implementation1. | Macao SAR Government |
| National Security Education | Develop a "National Security Education Master Plan" and integrate national security content into school curricula and public awareness campaigns1, 2. | Research and planning underway1. | Education and Youth Development Bureau |
2.2 AML/CTF Framework Strengthening
| Regulation | Key Requirement | Deadline/Threshold | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Law No. 2/2006 (AML Law) | Amend Law No. 2/2006 (Prevention and Suppression of Money Laundering Crimes) to align with updated international AML standards and address new crime trends1. | Under research1. | Legislative Assembly |
| Administrative Regulation No. 7/2006 | Revise Administrative Regulation No. 7/2006 (Preventive Measures for Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing) to enhance due diligence and reporting obligations1. | Under research1. | Macao SAR Government |
| Trade Facilitation Measures | Implement "One Lock" cross-border customs cooperation, "Single Window" trade facilitation, and "Authorized Economic Operator" (AEO) programs to improve AML/CTF compliance in trade2. | Ongoing, with phased rollout2. | Macao Customs Service |
2.3 Trade Facilitation and Cross-Border Services
| Regulation/Initiative | Key Requirement | Deadline/Threshold | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Smart Pick-Up" (智取易) Kiosks | Expand the use of smart document kiosks to more Greater Bay Area (GBA) cities and increase service offerings2. | Ongoing expansion2. | Public Administration and Civil Service Bureau |
| "Macao Easy" (澳政易) Self-Service Machines | Deploy self-service machines in additional GBA cities and add more government services for Macao residents2. | Ongoing expansion2. | Public Administration and Civil Service Bureau |
| Cross-Border E-Government Services | Extend remote service counters to cover more administrative procedures for cross-border residents2. | Ongoing2. | Public Administration and Civil Service Bureau |
3. Supporting Administrative and Governance Reforms
3.1 Public Administration and Anti-Corruption
- Anti-Corruption Audits: Strengthen integrity audits of public capital enterprises to ensure lawful and efficient use of public funds2.
- Public Feedback Mechanisms: Enhance the unified public opinion platform with AI tools (e.g., large language models, speech-to-text) to improve response efficiency and accuracy2.
- Performance Accountability: Incorporate public feedback handling into organizational performance reviews2.
3.2 Legislative Coordination
- Mid-Term Legislative Plan (2027): Develop a scientifically planned mid-term legislative agenda to prioritize laws on national security, economic development, and civil rights2.
- Legislative Collaboration: Strengthen coordination between the Macao SAR Government and Legislative Assembly on drafting key laws, including:
- Civil Procedure Code
- Administrative Procedure Code
- Administrative Litigation Code (public consultation expected in 2026)2.
- Greater Bay Area Legal Cooperation:
3.3 Economic and Trade Measures
- AML/CTF in Trade: Implement customs cooperation initiatives (e.g., "One Lock" system) to enhance AML/CTF compliance in cross-border trade2.
- Digital Economy: Upgrade the "Fast Payment System" to support cross-border RMB transfers and promote digital trade2.
- SME Support: Introduce financial aid programs for SMEs to adopt digitalization and AML/CTF compliance tools2.
4. Summary Answer
Macao SAR’s legislative reforms aim to strengthen national security and AML/CTF frameworks while enhancing trade facilitation through targeted legal and administrative measures. Key initiatives include:
- National Security: Drafting the Macao SAR National Security Committee Law and introducing anti-terrorism legislation (public consultation in 2026)1.
- AML/CTF: Amending Law No. 2/2006 and Administrative Regulation No. 7/2006 to align with international standards1.
- Trade Facilitation: Expanding cross-border e-government services (e.g., "Smart Pick-Up" kiosks, "Macao Easy" machines) and implementing customs cooperation programs (e.g., "One Lock," "Single Window")2.
- Governance Reforms: Strengthening anti-corruption audits, public feedback mechanisms, and legislative coordination with the Legislative Assembly2.
These reforms are part of Macao SAR’s broader strategy to enhance governance efficiency, ensure national security, and promote economic diversification under the "1+4" development model1, 2.
Sources
- ↩ gov.mo — news / 1193946 https://www.gov.mo/zh-hant/news/1193946/
- ↩ gov.mo — news / 868633 https://www.gov.mo/zh-hans/news/868633/