1999 is a year of great significance in China’s history. Soon after the nation held a grand ceremony to mark the 50^th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the Chinese people, with a feeling of tremendous excitement and joy, are to greet the jubilant day when China resumes its sovereignty over Macao.

Macao’s return to the motherland is another great event for the Chinese nation. In accordance with the stipulations of "The Basic Law of Macao Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China", Macao, like Hong Kong, will practise the policy of "one country, two systems". Since Hong Kong returned to the motherland two years ago, with the central government and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR)’s handling of affairs strictly in accordance with the Basic Law, Hong Kong has scored outstanding achievements in various fields, symbolizing the great success of the theory of "one country, two systems" put forward by Mr. Deng Xiaoping. Undoubtedly, the practice has provided an exemplary role-model for Macao’s return to the motherland, in which Macao compatriots can see their glorious future.

There exists a very close relationship between Macao and the mainland, as well as with Hong Kong, due to historical and geographical circumstances. After its return to the motherland, Macao’s links with the mainland and Hong Kong will develop in a more profound way and at a higher level in political, economic, legal and cultural fields. For this reason, it is very important for legal circles to carry out inter-regional legal assistance and co-operation. I firmly believe the legal circles of the mainland, Hong Kong and Macao will enhance studies and co-operation in the field and contribute to the development of the mainland and Hong Kong-Macao regions.

China Legal Service (Hong Kong) Ltd. and China Legal Service (Macao) Ltd. were registered in Hong Kong and Macao in 1987 and 1997 respectively. With the approval of the Ministry of Justice of the PRC, the two special institutions offer legal services in Hong Kong and Macao. They are also "window firms" set up by the Ministry of Justice to conduct international co-operation in the two regions. The quarterly magazine, CHINA LAW, launched by China Legal Service (Hong Kong) Ltd. in 1994 in Hong Kong, is China’s first comprehensive and authoritative Chinese-English magazine specializing in introducing Chinese Laws and issued overseas. Based on a guiding policy of printing stories with new viewpoints, in-depth analysis and broad coverage, the magazine makes thorough analyses of the characteristics of Chinese laws and wide-ranging introduction of legal knowledge. The journal has been welcomed by readers both at home and abroad since its publication. In recent years, the journal has done much positive work to introduce and publicize the basic laws of Hong Kong and Macao. It can be said, the journal has provided a bridge between the legal circle on the mainland and that of Hong Kong. On the occasion of Macao’s return to the motherland, CHINA LAW is issuing Supplement for Macao’s Return. The special issue provides people of various circles who want to know more about Macao’s laws with knowledgeable and readable legal information through the introduction of Macao’s legislative and jucicial systems and laws in common use. The special issue is a great piece of work favouring the promotion of mutual understanding between Hong Kong, Macao and the motherland, and common prosperity.

We express thanks for all the effort and pains taken and hope CHINA LAW will reach greater and greater heights.