The United States supports the resumption of Chinese sovereignty of Macau in December of this year. United States policy towards Macau is grounded and the determination to help preserve Macau's prosperity and way of life, including the protection of individual liberties. The success of the Hong Kong transition in 1997 gives us hope that the Macau reversion will be smooth as well and that post-reversion Macau will enjoy the high degree of autonomy and the personal freedoms promised by China. The successful legislative assembly elections held in September 1996 will contribute to the stability of the transition. We hope that the upcoming election of the chief executive will have a similar effect.
China is certainly familiar with our views on the subject.