"Macau, China" - Kritische Anmerkungen zur politisch-wirtschaftlichen Entwicklung in Macau im Hinblick auf 1999

Abstract

This article mainly deals with the most important problems or tasks which Macau faces until the year of 1999, when it is due to devolve to the People Republic of China. There is, first of all, the economy which is characterized by heavy dependence on textile and garment exports. Here the newly industrializing countries of Southeast Asia are potential competitors, the more so as the times of low costs of production in Macau will be over sooner or later. A division of labour with the fast growing light industries of China demands restructuring of Macau industry. An active economic policy is needed, and there are some promising fields for action.
Secondly, the insufficient transport and communications infrastructure impedes the development. A reason for this could be the concentration on ambitious large-scale projects such as the deep-sea harbour in Ka Ho and new international airport. It is questionable whether these projects will, in the long run, contribute to improving the overall situation in Macau. A closer cooperation in this field with the neighbouring Hong Kong as well as the special economic zone of Zhuhai might lead to better infrastructural set-up. There are, thirdly, weak points with regard to the structure and functioning of the administration. In order to guarantee smooth transition into the new era, localization should be the leading policy. But it appears that the Portuguese still follow rather colonial type of rule both in administration proper and in the field of culture. (Red.)