Basic Law of the Macao Special Administrative Region/Chapter VI

Chapter VI Culture and Social Affairs

Article 121

The Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall, on its own, formulate policies on education, including policies regarding the educational system and its administration, the language of instruction, the allocation of funds, the examination system, the recognition of educational qualifications and the system of academic awards so as to promote educational development.

The Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall, in accordance with law, gradually institute a compulsory education system.

Community organizations and individuals may, in accordance with law, run educational undertakings of various kinds.

Article 122

The existing educational institutions of all kinds in Macao may continue to operate. All educational institutions in the Macao Special Administrative Region shall enjoy their autonomy and teaching and academic freedom in accordance with law.

Educational institutions of all kinds may continue to recruit staff and use teaching materials from outside the Macao Special Administrative Region. Students shall enjoy freedom of choice of educational institutions and freedom to pursue their education outside the Macao Special Administrative Region.

Article 123

The Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall, on its own, formulate policies to improve medical and health services and to develop Western and traditional Chinese medicine. Community organizations and individuals may provide various medical and health services in accordance with law.

Article 124

The Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall, on its own, formulate policies on science and technology and protect by law achievements in scientific and technological research, patents, discoveries and inventions.

The Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall, on its own, decide on the scientific and technological standards and specifications applicable in Macao.

Article 125

The Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall, on its own, formulate policies on culture, including literature, art, broadcasting, film and television programs.

The Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall protect by law the achievements and the lawful rights and interests of authors in their literary, artistic and other creation.

The Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall protect by law scenic spots, historical sites and other historical relics as well as the lawful rights and interests of the owners of antiques.

Article 126

The Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall, on its own, formulate policies on press and publication.

Article 127

The Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall, on its own, formulate policies on sports. Non-governmental sports organizations may continue to exist and develop in accordance with law.

Article 128

The Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region, consistent with the principle of religious freedom, shall not interfere in the internal affairs of religious organizations or in the efforts of religious organizations and believers in Macao to maintain and develop relations with their counterparts outside Macao, or restrict religious activities which do not contravene the laws of the Region.

Religious organizations may, in accordance with law, run seminaries and other schools, hospitals and welfare institutions and to provide other social services. Schools run by religious organizations may continue to provide religious education, including courses in religion.

Religious organizations shall, in accordance with law, enjoy the rights to acquire, use, dispose of and inherit property and the right to receive donations. Their previous property rights and interests shall be protected by law.

Article 129

The Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall, on its own, establish a system concerning the professions and, based on impartiality and rationality, formulate provisions for assessing professional qualifications or qualifications for practice in the various professions and issuing corresponding certificates.

Persons with professional qualifications or qualifications for professional practice obtained prior to the establishment of the Macao Special Administrative Region may retain their previous qualifications in accordance with the relevant regulations of the Macao Special Administrative Region.

The Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall, in accordance with the relevant regulations, recognize the professions and the professional organizations recognized prior to the establishment of the Region and may, as required by social development and in consultation with the parties concerned, recognize new professions and professional organizations.

Article 130

On the basis of the previous social welfare system, the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall, on its own, formulate policies on the development and improvement of the social welfare system in the light of the economic conditions and social needs.

Article 131

Local organizations providing social services in the Macao Special Administrative Region may, on their own, decide their forms of service, provided that the law is not contravened.

Article 132

The Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall, when necessary and possible, gradually improve the policy previously practiced in Macao in respect of subventions for non-governmental organizations in fields such as education, science, technology, culture, sports, recreation, medicine and health, social welfare and social work.

Article 133

The relationship between non-governmental organizations in fields such as education, science, technology, culture, news media, publication, sports, recreation, the professions, medicine and health, labour, women, youth, returned overseas nationals, social welfare and social work as well as religious organizations in the Macao Special Administrative Region and their counterparts in other parts of the country shall be based on the principles of non-subordination, non-interference and mutual respect.

Article 134

Non-governmental organizations in fields such as educations science, technology, culture, news media, publication, sports, recreation, the professions, medicine and health, labour, women, youth, returned overseas nationals, social welfare and social work as well as religious organizations in the Macao Special Administrative Region may maintain and develop relations with their counterparts in foreign countries and regions and with relevant international organizations. They may, as required, use the name "Macao, China" in the relevant activities.