This Nov 18, 2019 photo shows the Macao Peninsula in south China. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

MACAO – The Macao Special Administrative Region government has voiced firm opposition to the reference relating to Macao in the 2023 Trafficking in Persons Report issued by the US Department of State recently.

References to Macao in the report were full of ignorance about the laws and independent legal system in Macao, attempting, with "conjecture and bias", to confuse the international community, the Office of the Secretary for Security under the Macao SAR government said on Friday.

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The references also deny the efforts made by the Macao SAR on combatting human trafficking over the years, added the office.

For years, the US report had made reckless assertions about work on combatting human trafficking in Macao without fully and accurately learning the real situation, said the SAR govt

The Macao SAR government has always fully supported international legal provisions and common strategies, and actively coordinated government departments and various sectors of society to prevent and combat human trafficking as well as protect victims.

Despite the severe impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, work related to the combating of human trafficking had carried on as usual, maintaining Macao's sound situation of long-term low crime rate or even zero crimes in this regard, said the office.

For years, the US report had made reckless assertions about work on combatting human trafficking in Macao without fully and accurately learning the real situation, stressed the office.

The Macao SAR government felt deeply regretted and strongly discontented with the act, it added.

The SAR government will, as always, firmly join hands with all sectors in the city to prevent and control human trafficking and guarantee the safety and legitimate rights and interests of local residents and non-natives alike, the office said.

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To eliminate human trafficking and all other forms of human exploitation, the Macao government also pledged to continue actively coordinating with judiciary departments on law enforcement and stepping up international and inter-regional exchanges and cooperation to jointly discuss preventive and combating strategies.