Refining the Political Machinery and the Absence of Political Reforms

Abstract

Attempts to localize institutions and personnel before the retreat of the Portuguese were often low profiled and failed to lay a solid foundation for the new order in Macao. Partly due to the slow pace of the localization of the civil service during the 1980s and 1990s, the new administration did not develop the political skills and administrative experience required after the handover. Accordingly, the inexperienced MSAR government needs more time to learn how to govern, and government officials should continue to upgrade their skills.