2026-11-06 · 2 statements · 2 actors
Conviction and sentencing of former Macao lawmaker Au Kam San, 6 November 2026
Background
On 6 November 2026 a court in the Macao Special Administrative Region convicted and sentenced former lawmaker Au Kam San. According to the EU, he received 12 years and six months, was arrested on 30 July 2025, and this is the first conviction under Macao's Safeguarding National Security Law since 2009. China's Foreign Ministry describes the case as concerning suspected acts of colluding with external forces to endanger national security.
Compiled by AI only from the official statements below, not from other sources. Facts no source disputes are stated plainly; everything else is attributed. How this works.
How the official lines relate
The EU deplores the conviction, says it confirms an erosion of political pluralism and freedom of speech in Macao, and regrets restricted access to the trial. China's Foreign Ministry says Macao has the duty and right to handle such acts in accordance with law, and opposes external forces using individual judicial cases to interfere in Macao's affairs.
Where the official lines meet and part
● asserts ◐ qualifies ○ denies blank: no stance in the statements we have. Hover or tap a symbol for the quote.
| Proposition | European Union | China |
|---|---|---|
| The conviction reflects an erosion of political pluralism and freedom of speech in Macao. | ● | |
| The prosecution and sentencing are a legitimate, lawful exercise of Macao's authority to safeguard national security. contested | ○ | ● |
| Foreign comment on the case amounts to interference in Macao's and China's internal affairs. | ● | |
| Rights and freedoms of Macao residents are fully protected under the Basic Law. | ◐ | ● |
| Access to the proceedings for public, press and diplomats was restricted, and Au Kam San was held incommunicado for almost a year. | ● | |
| The EU will continue to monitor the human rights situation in Macao. | ● |
Notable patterns
- Furthest apart: China and European Union (agreement 0.25 on a 0–1 scale).
Same thing, different words
| The offence for which Au Kam San was convicted | China: “colluding with external forces to endanger national security”European Union: “conviction under Macao’s Safeguarding National Security Law” |
|---|---|
| Foreign comment on the case | China: “external forces using individual judicial cases to interfere in Macao’s internal affairs”European Union: “monitor the human rights situation and fundamental freedoms in Macao” |
Emphasis
- China: Presents the case as a lawful national security matter and a question of rule of law and non-interference, citing Macao's achievements, without addressing the sentence length or trial conditions.
- European Union: Presents the case as a human rights and freedom of expression concern, emphasising the sentence, Au Kam San's EU citizenship, restricted access and prior detention, without addressing the charges' substance.
The statements
European Union
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Macao: Statement by the Spokesperson on the verdict in the case of Au Kam San
2026-11-06 · org
The EU spokesperson deplores the conviction and sentencing of former Macao lawmaker and EU citizen Au Kam San to 12 years and six months on 6 November, describing it as the first conviction under Macao's Safeguarding National Security Law since 2009 and saying it confirms erosion of political pluralism and freedom of speech. The EU also regrets restricted access for public, press and diplomats.
China
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Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun’s Regular Press Conference on November 6, 2026
2026-11-06 · mfa · one of several topics in this statement
The spokesperson says the Macao court's sentencing of former lawmaker Au Kam San under national security provisions is lawful, and opposes external interference in Macao's judicial matters.
Compared 2026-11-08 with claude-sonnet-5-5. How this works.