AS WRITTEN

SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR OF MACAU,
GENERAL VASCO ROCHA VIEIRA,

AT THE WORLD SUMMIT FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
Copenhagen 10th March 1995.


 The opportunity being offered to observers to address the international 
community at this World Summit for Social Development allows me to bring to 
your attention the very special circumstances that characterize the 
territory of Macau. I believe that these circumstances, which we anticipate 
continuing to operate into the future, constitute a challenge that is of 
the greatest relevance to the problems of finding real and workable means 
by which different cultural, economic and political interests can co-
operate.

 The status of Macau is that of a territory currently under Portuguese 
administration but in transition to coming under full Chinese sovereignty. 
The transfer will take place in December 1999.

 But Macau will preserve a unique status even beyond that date, in 
accordance with the Chinese objective of putting into effect a policy of 
"one country, two systems". This is in accord with the Portuguese 
preference for developing a policy of co-operation with China, and making 
possible a continuing and effective presence of European culture in this 
important Chinese region.

 The challenge that is posed for all those who are working for a successful 
implementation of this transition, and extending a sound co-operative 
relationship into the future, is complex since there are no precedents that 
might serve as guidelines.

 But the benefit worldwide associated with success in this novel political 
project far exceeds what will be decided in relation to our local problems, 
and the manner in which the natural but real obstacles will be overcome - a 
process that depends essentially on good understanding between the parties 
involved.

 There is in fact a universal value in our experience that transcends these 
particular Macau circumstances, and I believe that, either directly or 
indirectly, our experience is very relevant to this World Summit for Social 
Development.

 We all know - and the work of this Summit has confirmed this - that the 
stability of international relations and the consolidation of a new world 
order are both directly dependent on the ability we have to adjust and 
compensate for differences in the pace of economic development between the 
regions, using measures for social protection that reduce the vulnerability 
of those areas that are marginal to the process of modernization, or 
excluded entirely from it.

 If we fail in this objective, the consequent migration of populations and 
outbreaks of instability in the less developed societies will prejudice the 
success of economic initiatives, the growth in reciprocal trade, and the 
increase of opportunities for co-operation between different regions.

 An adequate response to problems of these dimensions requires, and even 
demands, effective international co-operation, a bringing together of 
effort and resources, and a collective contemplation of the varied 
experiences of different societies in a wide variety of conditions.

 The holding of this World Summit is a step in that direction, and, 
moreover, it should be seen in the perspective of this process, since the 
problems associated with social development will necessarily always be ones 
requiring fresh initiatives and original solutions.

 Macau is located at the centre of a region that is registering the highest 
levels anywhere in the world of changes in social habits associated with 
modernization and economic growth. In Macau we have experienced all the 
effects of rapid and dynamic change on social conditions.

 But the manner in which we have managed to respond to our new situation 
has been directly influenced by the meeting of Oriental and Western 
cultures in the form of the happy co-existence side by side of Chinese and 
Portuguese traditions. In this, Macau offers to the international 
community, through its own uniqueness, a pattern for co-operation that may 
be of use in many other parts of the world.

 At a time when conflict not only threatens the policies of social 
development but even leads to down-turns from levels of social development 
already achieved, I believe it is my duty to submit for the consideration 
of this World Summit the example of a Territory where the blending of 
cultures and the co-operation of the relevant political and economic 
authorities have allowed us to face the challenges of social development in 
a context of rapid change.

 We know that developments in technology, and the implications of multi-
lateral competition in increasingly open markets, will continue to generate 
strong pressure on the structures of social protection, and on the 
conditions for development in many places. We know too that those in 
greater need of a rapid improvement in their social conditions are often 
the ones with the fewest resources to help them achieve that eminently 
desirable objective.

 No matter how much the pessimism of many analysts may seem justified - a 
pessimism based on instances of conflict and social set-backs - it is 
nevertheless the obligation of everyone to seek out, through positive 
examples wherever they are located, well-justified reasons for hope and 
confidence in the future.

 I find in the experience of Macau positive signs of tolerance, of the 
friendly co-existence of cultures, of political dialogue, and also of co-
operation resulting in mutual benefit. It is this happy and fruitful 
experience which I believe merits your attention today.

 Thank you.