Special administrative regions of the People's Republic of China | |
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  Regional flags of Hong Kong and Macau | |
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| Official languages |
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| Official script | |
| Demonym(s) |
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| Special Administrative Regions | |
| Government | One country, two systems |
| Xi Jinping | |
| Li Qiang | |
| Zhao Leji | |
| Ding Xuexiang | |
| Xia Baolong | |
| John Lee Ka-chiu | |
| Ho Iat Seng | |
| Area | |
• Total | 2,870.27 km2 (1,108.22 sq mi) |
| Population | |
• 2014[a] estimate | 7,858,800[1][2] |
• Density | 6,920/km2 (17,922.7/sq mi) |
| Currency | Hong Kong dollar (Hong Kong, Macau) Macanese pataca (Macau) |
| Date format | |
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| Special Administrative Region(s) of the People's Republic of China | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| Chinese name | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Traditional Chinese | 中華人民共和國特別行政區 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 中华人民共和国特别行政区 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Cantonese Yale | Jūng'wàh Yàhnmàhn Guhng'wòhgwok Dahkbiht Hàngjingkēui | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Postal | Chunghwa Jenmin Kunghokuo Tepieh Hsingchengchu | ||||||||||||||||||||
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| Portuguese name | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Portuguese | Regiões Administrativas Especiais da República Popular da China[a] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Administrative divisions of China |
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History: before 1912, 1912–49, 1949–present Administrative division codes |
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The special administrative regions (SAR) of the People's Republic of China are one of four types of province-level divisions of the People's Republic of China directly under the control of its Central People's Government (State Council), being integral areas of the country. As a region, they possess the highest degree of autonomy from China's central government. However, despite the relative autonomy that the Central People's Government offers the special administrative regions, the National People's Congress and its Standing Committee remains capable of enforcing laws for the special administrative regions.[3]
The legal basis for the establishment of SARs, unlike the other administrative divisions of China, is provided for by Article 31, rather than Article 30, of the Constitution of the People's Republic of China of 1982. Article 31 reads: "The state may establish special administrative regions when necessary. The systems to be instituted in special administrative regions shall be prescribed by law enacted by the National People's Congress in the light of the specific conditions".[4][5][6][7]
At present, there are two SARs established by the Constitution: Hong Kong and Macau. These former British and Portuguese territories were transferred to China in 1997 and 1999, following the Sino-British and Sino-Portuguese Joint Declarations signed in 1984 and 1987, respectively.[8] Pursuant to their Joint Declarations, which are binding inter-state treaties registered with the United Nations, and their Basic laws, the Chinese SARs "shall enjoy a high degree of autonomy".[9] Generally, the two SARs are not considered to constitute a part of mainland China, by both SAR and mainland Chinese authorities.
The provision to establish special administrative regions appeared in the constitution in 1982, in anticipation of the talks with the United Kingdom over the question of the sovereignty over Hong Kong. It was envisioned as the model for the eventual unification with Taiwan and other islands, where the Republic of China has resided since 1949.
Under the one country, two systems principle, the Chinese Central Government is responsible for the diplomatic, military and other state-level affairs of the two SARs. But two SARs continue to possess their own multi-party legislatures, legal systems, police forces, separate customs territory, immigration policies, left-hand traffic,[10] official languages, academic and educational systems, representation on certain international bodies and representation in international competitions, and other aspects that fall within the autonomous level.
Special administrative regions should not be confused with special economic zones, which are areas in which special economic laws apply to promote trade and investments. The Wolong Special Administrative Region in Sichuan province is a nature reserve and not a political division.
- ^ "Mid-year Population for 2014". Census and Statistics Department (Hong Kong). 12 August 2014. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 5 October 2014.
- ^ "Demographic Statistics for the 2nd Quarter 2014". Statistics and Census Service of the Government of Macau SAR. 11 August 2014. Archived from the original on 14 November 2014. Retrieved 5 October 2014.
- ^ Regan, Helen (29 June 2020). "China passes sweeping Hong Kong national security law". CNN. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
- ^ Administrative divisions of the People's Republic of China (中华人民共和国行政区划; Zhōnghuá Rénmín Gònghéguó Xíngzhèng Qūhuà), 15 June 2005, archived from the original on 23 July 2010, retrieved 5 June 2010
- ^ Chapter II: Relationship between the Central Authorities and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Article 12, archived from the original on 29 July 2010, retrieved 5 June 2010
- ^ Chapter II Relationship between the Central Authorities and the Macau Special Administrative Region, Article 12, archived from the original on 5 February 2012, retrieved 5 June 2010
- ^ Lauterpacht, Elihu. Greenwood, C. J. [1999] (1999). International Law Reports Volume 114 of International Law Reports Set Complete set. Cambridge University Press, 1999. ISBN 0521642442, 9780521642446. p 394.
- ^ Ghai, Yash P. (2000). Autonomy and Ethnicity: Negotiating Competing Claims in Multi-Ethnic States. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0521786428, 9780521786423. p 92.
- ^ Article 12, Basic Law of Hong Kong and Article 12, Basic Law of Macau
- ^ "Right side of road the only way to travel on Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge". South China Morning Post. 13 February 2018.
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