Macau – City of the Name of God (II): The Twenty-Eight Charters

In 1586, Macao was elevated from a "settlement" to a "city" and obtained its own "Foral" (city charter). However, in the 17th century, Macao first experienced a rapid decline in maritime trade, and then suffered from the "遷海令" (coastal evacuation order), which severely weakened it. Even after Emperor Kangxi reopened maritime trade, conflicts between the Leal Senado and the military governor, and disputes over rites, created a tense atmosphere in Macao by the end of the 17th century.

This was the historical background for the "Twenty-Eight Charters," promulgated in 1691 and confirmed in 1709. These charters detailed and reaffirmed the obligations and boundaries of power that various individuals and positions within Macao were to observe, ensuring a balance and continuity between royal governance and the Leal Senado's autonomy in the city.

So, how were these "Twenty-Eight Charters" promulgated? What did they contain? How were they implemented after reaching Macao? And what role did these provisions reflect for Macao in the world at that time, and what was its relationship with other places?

"Macao – City of the Name of God: The City Charter (II): The Twenty-Eight Charters," as the second publication in the "City Charter" research series, presents the first complete translation of the "Twenty-Eight Charters" into both Chinese and English, offering readers a glimpse into this complex period of history.