1999 年12 月20 日起，澳門成為中華人民共和國的特別行政區，澳門特區的憲制文件《澳門特別行政區基本法》同時開始實施。《澳門特別行政區基本法》不但規定澳門特區實行的制度，也訂明 1999 年後50 年內的管治框架。
Macao became a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People’s Republic of China on 20 December 1999. Its constitutional document, the Basic Law of the Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR), came into force on the same day. The Basic Law stipulates the system to be practised in Macao, and lays down the political and administrative framework of the MSAR for 50 years from 1999.
澳門特區的制度和政策，包括社會制度，經濟制度，保障居民的基本權利和自由的制度，行政管理、立法和司法方面的制度，以及有關政策，均以《澳門特別行政區基本法》的規定為依據。
The systems and policies of the MSAR – including its social and economic systems; safeguards for the fundamental rights and freedoms of its residents; the executive, legislature and judiciary; and Government policies – are all based on the provisions of the Basic Law.
「一國兩制」、「澳人治澳」和高度自治，已經成功落實，成為澳門人身體力行、習以為常的社會行為和政治文化。
The principles of “One country, two systems”, “Macao people governing Macao” and “a high degree of autonomy” have passed their initial tests with flying colours, and are now broadly recognised in Macao and infused into its social and political culture.
「澳人治澳」是指由澳門人自主管理澳門。澳門特別行政區行政長官、主要官員、行政會委員、立法會議員、終審法院院長及檢察長必須是澳門特別行政區永久性居民，其中部份職位還必須由永久性居民中的中國公民擔任。
The principle of “Macao people ruling Macao” means that the people of Macao govern Macao. The Chief Executive, principal officials, members of the Executive Council and the Legislative Assembly, the President of the Court of Final Appeal and the Procurator-General of the MSAR must be permanent residents of the Region. Some of these posts can only be assumed by Chinese citizens who are also permanent residents in Macao.
「高度自治」是指全國人民代表大會授權澳門特區依照《澳門特別行政區基本法》的規定實行高度自治，中央政府不干預屬於澳門特區自治範圍內的事務。澳門特別行政區享有行政管理權、立法權、獨立的司法權和終審權，以及全國人民代表大會及其常務委員會和中央人民政府授予的其他權力。但高度自治不等於完全自治，為維護國家的統一，維護國家主權和領土完整，中央政府保留了必要的權限。例如，與澳門特區有關的外交事務和防務，由中央人民政府負責管理。
A high degree of autonomy means that the National People’s Congress (NPC) of China authorises the MSAR to exercise a high degree of autonomy in line with the Basic Law, and the Central People’s Government will not interfere in the affairs that fall within the scope of autonomy of the MSAR. The high degree of autonomy to be exercised by the MSAR includes the administrative power, legislative power and independent judicial power, which included the power of final adjudication. But a high degree of autonomy does not mean complete autonomy. To safeguard China’s unification and uphold state sovereignty and territorial integrity, the Central People’s Government retains necessary power over the MSAR. For instance, the Central People’s Government shall be responsible for the foreign affairs and defence relating to the MSAR.
澳門特別行政區政府是澳門的行政機關。政府的首長是行政長官。澳門特別行政區政府設司、局、廳、處。澳門特別行政區政府的主要官員由在澳門通常居住連續滿15 年的澳門特別行政區永久性居民中的中國公民擔任。
The Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region is the executive authority of the MSAR. The Chief Executive is the head of the Government, and general secretariats, directorates of services, departments and divisions are established in the MSAR Government. The principal officials of Macao shall be Chinese citizens who are permanent residents of the region and have ordinarily resided in Macao for a continuous period of not less than fifteen years.
澳門特別行政區政府負責制定並執行政策；管理各項行政事務；辦理《澳門特別行政區基本法》規定的中央人民政府授權的對外事務；編制並提出財政預算、決算；提出法案、議案，草擬行政法規；委派官員列席立法會會議聽取意見或代表政府發言。
The MSAR Government is responsible for formulating and implementing policies; conducting administrative affairs; conducting external affairs as authorised by the Central People’s Government under the Basic Law; drawing up and introducing budgets and final accounts; introducing bills and motions and drafting administrative regulations; and designating officials to sit in on the meetings of the Legislative Assembly to hear opinions or to speak on behalf of the Government.
澳門特別行政區政府必須遵守法律，對澳門特別行政區立法會負責；執行立法會通過並已生效的法律；定期向立法會作施政報告；答覆立法會議員的質詢。
The MSAR Government must abide by the law and be accountable to the Legislative Assembly: it shall implement laws passed by the Legislative Assembly and those already in force; it shall present regular policy addresses to the Legislative Assembly; and it shall answer questions raised by members of the Legislative Assembly.