Special Administrative Region of China with a Portuguese legacy and high-density urban life
Macau’s former lawmaker Au Kam San remains jailed under the city’s national security law. A year after his arrest, authorities have offered limited details, and concerns about due process and the broader signal toward dissent persist as prosecutions proceed behind closed doors.
Three veteran Hong Kong activists — Lee Cheuk-yan, Chow Hang-tung and Albert Ho — have been sentenced to between five and seven years after convictions for inciting subversion under Beijings 2020 national security law. The sentences follow convictions in August and will include time already served, rights groups and foreign governments have condemned the verdicts.
Taiwan has set a record defence budget for 2027 to deter threats while stressing it will not provoke. President Lai Ching-te has warned against aggression and called for international support, with US backing cited as crucial. The National Day address underscores Taiwan’s commitment to exist and defend its democracy amid ongoing cross‑strait pressure.