Established in accordance with relevant terms of the Sino-Portuguese Joint Declaration on the Macao Question on January 15, 1988, the Sino-Portuguese Joint Liaison Group (JLG) is a body through which the governments of China and Portugal consult on the transfer and transition of Macao and other relevant issues.

Through the JLG, the Chinese and Portuguese sides consult on the implementation of the Joint Declaration and its annexes, exchange information, and consult on, issues relating to the transfer of Macao in 1999, consult on actions that need to be taken to maintain and develop economic and cultural relations between the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) and the rest of the world, and exchange information, and consult, on other issues that the two sides have agreed on.

Over nearly 12 years since it was established, the JLG has held 37 sessions and 56 rounds of meetings between the chief representatives of the two sides. It has also held numerous group meetings and expert meetings.

In the past 12 years, the governments of China and Portugal have paid great attention to the work of the JLG. The two sides of the JLG held discussions and consultations in a friendly and cooperative atmosphere, resolved many major problems and reached consensus on many other issues for the smooth transition and transfer of Macao.

Macao's transitional period has seen a basic solution of three major issues -- localization of the civil service, localization of laws and the status of Chinese an official language. This is owed partly to the work of the JLG.

The JLG has reached consensus and signed minutes on relevant talks on Macao's accession to 46 international organizations and the application of 141 international treaties in Macao at present and after 1999.

The two sides have reached consensus on the construction of the Macao International Airport and guiding principles for civil aviation in Macao, examining and approving aviation agreements that Macao has reached with 34 countries.

The two sides have also reached consensus on such issues as the issue of banknotes by two local commercial banks, the extension of 26 monopoly contracts over 1999, passport and traveler identification of the Macao SAR, establishment of the office of commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China in the MSAR, and establishment of Portuguese consulate general in the MSAR.

The JLG will conclude its work on January 1, 2000.