The Sino-Portuguese Joint Liaison Group (JLG) opened its 37th plenary session on November 9 and is expected to discuss some key matters related to Macao's power transfer from Portugal to China. It is the last time for the officials from both the Chinese and Portuguese sides in the group to have a plenary meeting. China will resume the exercise of sovereignty over Macao on December 20 this year, when Macao will become a special administrative region (SAR) of China. The meeting draws the attention of the media for it is held not long after Chinese President Jiang Zemin's visit to Portugal at the end of last month. Sources with the group said some remaining questions will be discussed and they include the detailed arrangements of the stationing of Chinese troops in the future Macao SAR and the transfer of assets and archives of the Portuguese Macao government. Chinese and Portuguese officials of the Sino-Portuguese JLG will continue their meeting Wednesday. On Thursday, they will visit some venues for the handover ceremony, the establishment of the Macao SAR government and the farewell party of Portuguese officials and guests. |