View source for Special administrative regions of China

{{Short description|Province-level autonomous subdivisions of the People's Republic of China}}
{{Use Hong Kong English|date=July 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}}
{{For|the two special administrative regions|Hong Kong|Macau}}{{Distinguish|Autonomous administrative divisions of China|Autonomous regions of China}}

{{Infobox country
| conventional_long_name = Special administrative regions of the People's Republic of China
| native_name            = 
| image_flag             = Flag of China.svg
| flag_caption           = [[Flag of China|National flag of the People's Republic of China]]
| image_map              = China-Special Administrative Regions.png
| map_caption            = [[Hong Kong]] and [[Macau]] on the [[Pearl River Delta]],<br />[[South China]]
| other_symbol           = [[File:Flag of Hong Kong.svg|border|100px]] [[File:Flag of Macau.svg|border|100px]]<br />{{small|[[Gallery of flags of dependent territories#China|Regional flags]] of [[Flag of Hong Kong|Hong Kong]] and [[Flag of Macau|Macau]]}}
| languages              = {{ubl|[[Traditional Chinese characters|Traditional Chinese]]| [[Latin script]]}}
| languages_type         = [[Official script]]
| government_type        = [[One country, two systems]]
| leader_title1          = [[General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party|CCP General Secretary]]<br />[[President of China]]
| leader_name1           = [[Xi Jinping]]
| leader_title2          = [[Premier of China]]
| leader_name2           = [[Li Qiang]]
| leader_title3          = [[Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress|Congress Chairman]]
| leader_name3           = [[Zhao Leji]]
| leader_title4          = [[Central Leading Group on Hong Kong and Macau Affairs|Leader of the CCP Central Leading Group]]
| leader_name4           = [[Ding Xuexiang]]
| leader_title5          = [[Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office|Director of the Affairs Office]]
| leader_name5           = [[Xia Baolong]]
| leader_title6          = {{nowrap|[[Chief Executive of Hong Kong]]}}
| leader_name6           = [[John Lee Ka-chiu]]
| leader_title7          = [[Chief Executive of Macau]]
| leader_name7           = [[Sam Hou Fai]]
| demonym                = {{ubl|[[Hongkongers|Hongkonger]]|Hong Kongese {{small|(Hong Kong)}}|[[Macau people|Macau]] {{small|(Macau)}}}}
| membership_type        = Special Administrative Regions
| membership             = {{ubl|{{flag|Hong Kong}}|{{flag|Macau}}}}
| largest_settlement     = 
| largest_settlement_type = 
| population_estimate_year = 2014{{efn|1=Second quarter}}
| population_estimate    = 7,858,800<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.censtatd.gov.hk/press_release/pressReleaseDetail.jsp?charsetID=1&pressRID=3461 |title = Mid-year Population for 2014 | work = [[Census and Statistics Department (Hong Kong)]] |date = 12 August 2014 |access-date = 5 October 2014 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141006104704/http://www.censtatd.gov.hk/press_release/pressReleaseDetail.jsp?charsetID=1&pressRID=3461 |archive-date = 6 October 2014 |url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title = Demographic Statistics for the 2nd Quarter 2014 |url = http://www.dsec.gov.mo/Statistic/Demographic/DemographicStatistics/DemographicStatistics2014Q2.aspx?lang=en-US |publisher = Statistics and Census Service of the Government of Macau SAR |date = 11 August 2014 |access-date = 5 October 2014 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141114092947/http://www.dsec.gov.mo/Statistic/Demographic/DemographicStatistics/DemographicStatistics2014Q2.aspx?lang=en-US |archive-date = 14 November 2014 |url-status = live}}</ref>
| population_density_km2 = 6920
| area_km2               = 2870.27
| date_format            = {{vunblist |yyyy{{lang|zh|年}}m{{lang|zh|月}}d{{lang|zh|日}} |''or'' yyyy-mm-dd |''or'' dd/mm/yyyy |([[Common Era|CE]]; [[Chinese calendar|CE-1949]])}}
| currency               = [[Hong Kong dollar]] {{small|(Hong Kong, Macau)}}<br />[[Macanese pataca]] {{small|(Macau)}}
| time_zone              = 
| footnotes              = {{Notelist|close}}
| area_rank              = 
| GDP_PPP                = 
| GDP_PPP_year           = 
| HDI                    = 
| HDI_year               = 
| today                  = 
| official_languages     = {{ubl|[[Chinese language|Chinese]] {{small|(Hong Kong, Macau)}}|[[English language|English]] {{small|(Hong Kong)}}|[[Portuguese language|Portuguese]] {{small|(Macau)}}}}
| drives_on              = Left
}}

{{Infobox Chinese
| title = Special Administrative Region(s) of the People's Republic of China
| t = {{linktext|中華人民共和國|特別|行政區}}
| s = {{linktext|中华人民共和国|特别|行政区}}
| p = Zhōnghuá Rénmín Gònghéguó Tèbié Xíngzhèngqū
| w = Chung¹-hua² Jên²-min² Kung⁴-ho²-kuo² Tʻê⁴-pieh² Hsing²-chêng⁴-chʻü¹
| gr = Jonghwa Renmin Gonqhergwo Tehbye Shyngjenqchiu
| psp = Chunghwa Jenmin Kunghokuo Tepieh Hsingchengchu
| mi = {{IPA|cmn|tʰɤ̂.pjě ɕǐŋ.ʈʂə̂ŋ.tɕʰý|}}
| y = Jūng'wàh Yàhnmàhn Guhng'wòhgwok Dahkbiht Hàngjingkēui
| ci = {{IPA|yue|tɐ̀k̚.pìːt̚ hɐ̭ŋ.tsēːŋ.kʰɵ́y|}}
| j = Dak6bit6 Hang4zing3keoi1
| por = Regiões Administrativas Especiais da República Popular da China
| showflag = y
| c = 
| altname = 
| order = ts
}}

{{Administrative levels and divisions of China sidebar}}
{{Politics of China |expanded = Taiwan-HK-Macau }}

The '''special administrative regions''' ('''SAR''') '''of the People's Republic of China''' are one of four types of [[Province-level divisions of China|province-level divisions]] of the [[China|People's Republic of China]] directly under the control of its [[State Council of China|Central People's Government]] (State Council). 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 of the National People's Congress|Standing Committee]] remain capable of enforcing laws for the special administrative regions.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Regan |first1=Helen |title=China passes sweeping Hong Kong national security law |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/29/china/hong-kong-national-security-law-passed-intl-hnk/index.html |access-date=29 July 2020 |work=CNN |date=29 June 2020}}</ref>

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 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".<ref>{{Citation|title=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)|date=15 June 2005|url=http://www.gov.cn/test/2005-06/15/content_18253.htm|access-date=5 June 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100723031844/http://www.gov.cn/test/2005-06/15/content_18253.htm|archive-date=23 July 2010|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|title=Chapter II: Relationship between the Central Authorities and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Article 12|url=http://www.basiclaw.gov.hk/en/basiclawtext/chapter_2.html|access-date=5 June 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100729032916/http://www.basiclaw.gov.hk/en/basiclawtext/chapter_2.html|archive-date=29 July 2010|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|title=Chapter II Relationship between the Central Authorities and the Macau Special Administrative Region, Article 12|url=http://bo.io.gov.mo/bo/i/1999/leibasica/index_uk.asp#c2|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120205042947/http://bo.io.gov.mo/bo/i/1999/leibasica/index_uk.asp#c2|url-status=dead|access-date=5 June 2010|archive-date=5 February 2012}}</ref><ref>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.</ref>

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 respectively, following the [[Sino-British Joint Declaration|Sino-British]] and [[Sino-Portuguese Joint Declaration|Sino-Portuguese Joint Declarations]] signed in 1984 and 1987, respectively.<ref name="Ghai">Ghai, Yash P. (2000). ''Autonomy and Ethnicity: Negotiating Competing Claims in Multi-Ethnic States''. Cambridge University Press. {{ISBN|0521786428}}, 9780521786423. p 92.</ref> Pursuant to their Joint Declarations, which are binding [[treaty|inter-state treaties]] registered with the [[United Nations]], and their [[Basic law]]s, the Chinese SARs "shall enjoy a high degree of [[autonomy]]".<ref>Article 12, Basic Law of Hong Kong and Article 12, Basic Law of Macau</ref> 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 of Hong Kong. It was envisioned as the model for the eventual [[Chinese unification|unification]] with [[Taiwan]] and other islands, where the [[Republic of China (1912–1949)|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. Both two SARs continue to possess their own [[multi-party system|multi-party]] legislatures, [[list of national legal systems|legal systems]], [[police|police forces]], [[customs|separate customs territory]], [[immigration|immigration policies]], [[Left- and right-hand traffic|left-hand traffic]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/economy/article/2133246/right-side-road-only-way-travel-hong-kong-zhuhai-macau-bridge|title=Right side of road the only way to travel on Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge|website=[[South China Morning Post]]|date=13 February 2018|last1=Su|first1=Xinqi|first2=Raymond|last2=Yeung}}</ref> [[official language]]s, academic and [[Education|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 of China|special economic zones]], which are areas in which special economic laws apply to promote [[trade]] and [[investment]]s. The [[Wolong National Nature Reserve|Wolong Special Administrative Region]] in [[Sichuan]] province is a [[nature reserve]] and not a political division.

== List of special administrative regions of China ==
There are currently two special administrative regions established according to Article 31 of the Chinese Constitution. For the [[Wolong Special Administrative Region]] in [[Sichuan|Sichuan Province]], please see the section [[#Wolong|Wolong]] below.

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size: 85%;" align=center
|+ align=center style="background: #BFD7FF;"| Special administrative regions of the People's Republic of China'''{{NoteTag|References and details on data provided in the table can be found within the individual provincial articles.}}'''
|-
! {{small|Name}}
! {{small|Chinese ([[Traditional Chinese|T]]) / ([[Simplified Chinese|S]])}}
! {{small|[[Yale romanization of Cantonese|Yale]]}}
! {{small|[[Pinyin]]}}
! {{small|[[Chinese Postal Map Romanization|Postal map]]}}
! {{small|Abbreviation and [[Guobiao|GB]]}}
! {{small|Population}}
! {{small|Area km<sup>2</sup>}}
! {{small|[[ISO 3166-2|ISO]]}}
! {{small|[[ISO 3166-2:CN|ISO:CN]]}}
! {{small|Admin. Division}}
|-
| {{Flag|Hong Kong}}
| {{lang|zh|[[wikt:香港|香港]]}}
| Hēunggóng
| Xiānggǎng
| {{not a typo|Hongkong}}
| {{lang|zh|港}} (Gǎng), HK, HKSAR
| 7,184,000
| 1,104.4
| <code>HK</code>
| <code>CN-HK</code>
| [[Districts of Hong Kong|List]] (18 [[district]]s)
|-
| {{Flag|Macau}}
| {{lang|zh-hant|[[wikt:澳門|澳門]]}} / {{lang|zh-hans|[[wikt:澳门|澳门]]}}
| Oumùhn
| Àomén
| Macao
| {{lang|zh|澳}} (Ào), MO, MC, MSAR, RAEM
| 614,500
| 31.3
| <code>MO</code>
| <code>CN-MO</code>
| [[Parishes of Macau|List]] (8 [[Municipalities and parishes of Macau#Parishes|freguesias]])
|-
|}

== Characteristics ==
{{See also|Hong Kong Basic Law|Macau Basic Law}}

The two special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau (created in 1997 and 1999 respectively) each have a codified constitution called [[Basic Law]].<ref name="Ghai"/> The law provides the regions with a high degree of autonomy, a separate political system, and a [[Capitalism|capitalist]] economy under the principle of "[[one country, two systems]]" proposed by [[Deng Xiaoping]].<ref name="Ghai"/>

=== High degree of autonomy ===
Currently, the two SARs of Hong Kong and Macau are responsible for all affairs except those regarding diplomatic relations and national defence.<ref name="Zh">Zhang Wei-Bei. [2006] (2006). Hong Kong: the pearl made of British mastery and Chinese docile-diligence. Nova Publishers. {{ISBN|1594546002}}, 9781594546006.</ref> Consequently, the [[National People's Congress]] authorises the SAR to exercise a high degree of autonomy and enjoy executive, legislative and independent judicial powers,<ref>Chan, Ming K. Clark, David J. [1991] (1991). The Hong Kong Basic Law: Blueprint for Stabiliree Legal Orders – Perspectives of Evolution: Essays on Macau's Autonomy After the Resumption of Sovereignty by China. {{ISBN|3540685715}}, 9783540685715. p 212.</ref> and each with their own [[Court of Final Appeal (disambiguation)|Courts of Final Appeal]].<ref name="Ol">Oliveira, Jorge. Cardinal, Paulo. [2009] (2009). One Country, Two Systems, Three Legal Orders – Perspectives of Evolution: Essays on Macau's Autonomy After the Resumption of Sovereignty by China. {{ISBN|3540685715}}, 9783540685715. p 212.</ref>

=== Currency  ===
*[[Renminbi]]: The currency is commonly abbreviated as CNY¥. Adopt a stable exchange rate.
*[[Hong Kong dollar]]: The currency is commonly abbreviated as HK$. The exchange rate is pegged to the [[US dollar]].
*[[Macanese pataca]]: The currency is commonly abbreviated as MOP$. The exchange rate is pegged to the [[Hong Kong dollar]].

=== External affairs ===
{{Further|Foreign relations of Hong Kong|Foreign relations of Macau}}

Special administrative regions are empowered to contract a wide range of agreements with other countries and territories such as mutual abolition of [[Visa requirements for Hong Kong citizens|visa requirement]], mutual legal aid, air services, [[extradition]], handling of [[double taxation]] and others, with no [[Government of China|Chinese government]] involvement. However, in some diplomatic talks involving an SAR, the SAR concerned may choose to send officials to be part of the Chinese delegation. For example, when former [[Department of Health (Hong Kong)|Director of Health of Hong Kong]] [[Margaret Chan]] became the [[World Health Organization]] (WHO) Director-General, she served as a delegate from the [[China|People's Republic of China]] to the WHO.

At the same time they are members of various international organisations such as WTO, APEC, etc.

{{flag|Hong Kong}}
* Hong Kong participates in 41 intergovernmental international organisations with countries as participating units.
* Hong Kong participates in 54 intergovernmental international organisations that do not use countries as their participating units.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.fmcoprc.gov.hk/chn/syzx/gjzzygjhy/P020120709681086353002.pdf | title=香港特区参与政府间国际组织/机制情况 | language=zh | trans-title=Hong Kong SAR's Participation in International Intergovernmental Organisations/Mechanisms| access-date=2024-12-22 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140331001244/http://www.fmcoprc.gov.hk/chn/syzx/gjzzygjhy/P020120709681086353002.pdf | archive-date=2014-03-31 | website=www.fmcoprc.gov.hk}}</ref>

{{flag|Macao}}
* Macau participates in 19 intergovernmental international organisations with countries as participating units.
* Macau participates in 30 intergovernmental international organisations that do not use countries as their participating units.<ref>{{Cite web | title=List of organizations and mechanisms in which Macao SAR participates | date=December 2019 | url=http://www.fmcoprc.gov.mo/chn/satfygjzz/gjzzygjhy/P020191211370314097817.pdf | access-date=2024-12-22 | website=www.fmcoprc.gov.mo}}</ref>

The [[Government of Hong Kong]] and [[Government of Macao]] have established [[Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office]]s (HKETOs) and [[Macau Economic and Cultural Office|Delegações Económicas e Comerciais de Macau]] (DECMs) respectively in some countries, as well as in the [[Greater China|Greater China Region]]. HKETOs serve as a quasi-[[interests section]] in favour of [[Hong Kong]]. DECMs serve as a quasi-[[interests section]] in favour of [[Macao]]. For regions with no HKETOs and DECMs, [[List of diplomatic missions of China|Chinese diplomatic missions]] take charge of protecting Hong Kong-related and Macau-related interests.

Some countries which have [[Foreign relations of China|a diplomatic relationship with the central Chinese government]] maintain [[Consulate-General]] offices in Hong Kong and Macau.

[[File:HKETO-London.JPG|thumb|Economic and Trade Office in London]]

[[File:Macao.jpg|thumb|250px|Macao Economic and Commercial Office in Lisbon]]

=== Olympic Games ===
{{Further|Hong Kong at the Olympics|Macau at the Asian Games}}

In sporting events such as the [[Olympic Games]] or  [[Asian Games]], the SARs may have their own independent teams. They participate under the respective names of "[[Hong Kong, China|Hong Kong]], China" and "[[Macau, China|Macau]], China", and compete as different entities<ref>English.eastday.com. [http://english.eastday.com/eastday/englishedition/sports/userobject1ai1588031.html English.eastday.com] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120121060327/http://english.eastday.com/eastday/englishedition/sports/userobject1ai1588031.html# |date=21 January 2012 }}. "China keeps low key at East Asian Games." Retrieved on 13 December 2009.</ref> as they had done since they were under foreign rules, but both SARs are usually allowed to omit the term ", China" for informal use.{{citation needed|date=June 2021}}

=== Defence and military ===
The [[People's Liberation Army]] is garrisoned in both SARs. PRC authorities have said the PLA will not be allowed to interfere with the local affairs of Hong Kong and Macau, and must abide by its laws.<ref name="Gur"/> In 1988, scholar Chen Fang of the [[PLA Academy of Military Science|Academy of Military Science]] even tried to propose the "One military, two systems" concept to separate the defence function and public functions in the army.<ref name="Gur"/> The PLA does not participate in the governance of the SAR but the SAR may request them for civil-military participation, in times of emergency such as [[natural disaster]]s. Defence is the responsibility of the PRC government.<ref name="Zh"/>

A 1996 draft PRC law banned [[People's Liberation Army#Commercial activities|People's Liberation Army–run businesses]] in Hong Kong, but [[loophole]]s allow them to operate while the [[Profit (accounting)|profits]] are ploughed back into the military.<ref name="Gur">Gurtov, Melvin. Hwang, Byong-Moo Hwang (1998). ''China's Security: The New Roles of the Military''. Lynne Rienner Publishing. {{ISBN|1555874347}}, 9781555874346. pp. 203–204.</ref> There are many PLA-run corporations in Hong Kong. The PLA also have sizeable [[Landed property|land holdings]] in Hong Kong worth billions of dollars.<ref name="Gur"/>

=== Immigration and nationality ===
Each of the SARs issues passports on its own to its permanent residents who are concurrently [[Chinese nationality law|Chinese (PRC) citizens]]. PRC citizens must also satisfy one of the following conditions:

* [[jus soli|born in the SAR]];
* [[jus sanguinis|born anywhere while either parent was a permanent resident of the SAR]];
* resided continuously and legally for seven or more years in the SAR and therefore gained a [[right of abode]] in the SAR.

Apart from affording the holder consular protection by the [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (China)|Ministry of Foreign Affairs]], these passports also specify that the holder has right of abode in the issuing SAR.

The [[National People's Congress]] has also put each SAR in charge of administering the [[Nationality Law of China|PRC's Nationality Law]] in its respective realms, namely [[naturalisation]], renunciation and restoration of PRC nationality and issuance of proof of nationality.

Due to their colonial past, many inhabitants of the SARs hold some form of non-Chinese nationality (e.g. [[British National (Overseas)]] status, [[British citizenship]], [[British Overseas citizenship]] or [[Portuguese citizenship]]). However, SAR residents who are Chinese descent have always been considered as Chinese citizens by the PRC authorities, an exception to this case is Macau, wherein residents of Chinese descent may choose Chinese or Portuguese nationality. Special interpretation of the Nationality Law, while not recognising [[dual nationality]], has allowed Chinese citizens to keep their foreign "right of abode" and use travel documents issued by the foreign country. However, such travel documents cannot be used to travel to [[mainland China]] and persons concerned must use [[Home Return Permit]]. Therefore, [[master nationality rule]] applies so the holder may not enjoy consular protection while in China. Chinese citizens who also have foreign citizenship may declare a change of nationality at the Immigration Department of the respective SARs, and upon approval, would no longer be considered Chinese citizens.

SAR permanent residents who are not Chinese citizens (including [[Statelessness|stateless]] persons) are not eligible for SAR passports. Persons who hold a non-Chinese citizenship must obtain passports from foreign diplomatic missions which represents their countries of citizenship. For those who are stateless, each SAR may issue its own form of [[Certificate of Identity|certificates of identity]], e.g. [[Identity document|Document of Identity]], in lieu of national passports to the persons concerned. Chinese citizens who are non-permanent residents of two SARs are also ineligible for SAR passports but may obtain CIs just like stateless persons.

=== Passport===
* [[Chinese passport]] (for the [[mainland China|mainland]] residents with [[Hukou]] only)
* [[Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport|Hong Kong SAR passport]] (for [[Hong Kong residents|Hong Kong permanent residents]] with [[Chinese nationality law|Chinese citizenship]] only)
* [[Macau Special Administrative Region passport|Macao SAR passport]] (for [[Right of abode in Macau|Macau permanent residents]] with [[Chinese nationality law|Chinese citizenship]] only)

=== Comparisons ===
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 85%;" align=center
! Body
! {{Flag|Hong Kong}}
! {{Flag|Macau}}
| rowspan="21" bgcolor="#606060"|
! {{Flag|China}} '''(national level)'''
|-
! Constitutional Document
| [[Hong Kong Basic Law]] (based on the [[Sino-British Joint Declaration]], subordinate to the Chinese constitution)
| [[Macao Basic Law]] (based on the [[Sino-Portuguese Joint Declaration]], subordinate to the Chinese constitution)
| [[Constitution of China]]
|-
! Final Authority of<br />Constitutional Interpretation & Review
| bgcolor="lightpink" | [[Standing Committee of the National People's Congress|NPC Standing Committee]]
| bgcolor="lightpink" | [[Standing Committee of the National People's Congress|NPC Standing Committee]]
| [[Standing Committee of the National People's Congress|NPC Standing Committee]]
|-
! Supreme leader of State
| colspan="2"|[[General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party]]
| [[General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party]]
|-
! Representative of State / Territory
| [[Chief Executive of Hong Kong]]
| [[Chief Executive of Macau]]
| [[President of China]]
|-
! Head of Government / Territory
| [[Chief Executive of Hong Kong]]
| [[Chief Executive of Macau]]
| [[Premier of China]]
|-
! Executive
| [[Executive Council of Hong Kong]]
| [[Executive Council of Macau]]
| [[State Council of China|State Council]]
|-
! Legislative
| [[Legislative Council of Hong Kong|Legislative Council]]
| [[Legislative Assembly of Macau|Legislative Assembly]]
| [[National People's Congress|National People's Congress (NPC)]];<br />[[Standing Committee of the National People's Congress|NPC Standing Committee]]
|-
! Judiciary
| [[Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal]]
| [[Court of Final Appeal (Macau)|Court of Final Appeal of Macau]]
| [[Supreme People's Court]]
|-
! Legal Supervisory<br />or Prosecution
| [[Department of Justice (Hong Kong)|Department of Justice]]
| [[Procurator General of Macau|Procurator General]]
| [[Supreme People's Procuratorate]]
|-
! Police
| [[Hong Kong Police Force]] (part of [[Hong Kong Disciplined Services]])
| [[Public Security Police Force of Macau]];<br />Directorate of Judiciary Police ([[:zh:澳门司法警察局|zh]]) (parts of [[Macau Security Force]])
| [[People's Police (China)|People's Police]] (of [[Ministry of Public Security (China)|Public Security]], [[Ministry of State Security (China)|State Security]], [[Ministry of Justice (China)|Justice]], [[Supreme People's Court|Court]] and [[Supreme People's Procuratorate|Procuratorate]] systems);<br />[[People's Armed Police]]
|-
! Military
| bgcolor="lightpink"| [[Hong Kong Garrison|PLA Hong Kong Garrison]]
| bgcolor="lightpink"| [[Macao Garrison|PLA Macau Garrison]]
| [[People's Liberation Army]] (PLA);<br />[[People's Armed Police]];<br />[[Militia (China)|Militia]]
|-
! Currency
| [[Hong Kong dollar]]
| [[Macanese pataca]]
| [[Renminbi|Renminbi (''Chinese yuan'')]]
|-
! Official Language(s)
| [[Chinese language|Chinese]] {{small|([[Traditional Chinese characters|traditional]]),  ([[Simplified Chinese characters|simplified]]), ([[Cantonese]]), ([[Standard Chinese|Mandarin]])}}, [[English language|English]]
| [[Chinese language|Chinese]] {{small|([[Traditional Chinese characters|traditional]]),  ([[Simplified Chinese characters|simplified]]), ([[Cantonese]]), ([[Standard Chinese|Mandarin]])}}, [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]]
| [[Standard Chinese|Standard Chinese (''Putonghua'')]] {{small|([[Simplified Chinese characters|simplified]])}}
|-
! Foreign relations
| bgcolor="lightgreen"| [[Foreign relations of Hong Kong|''limited'' {{small|under "Hong Kong, China"}}]]
| bgcolor="lightgreen"| [[Foreign relations of Macau|''limited'' {{small|under "Macau, China"}}]]
| [[Foreign relations of China|''full rights'']]
|-
! Principal Agency<br /> in Foreign Affairs
| bgcolor="lightpink"| [[Office of the Commissioner (Hong Kong)|Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China in Hong Kong]]
| bgcolor="lightpink"| [[Office of the Commissioner (Macau)|Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China in Macau]]
| [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (China)|Ministry of Foreign Affairs]]
|-
! Citizenship
| bgcolor="lightpink"| [[Chinese citizen]]ship
| bgcolor="lightpink"| [[Chinese citizen]]ship
| [[Chinese citizen]]ship
|-
! Proof of Residency
| [[Right of abode in Hong Kong|Right of abode]]
| [[Right of abode in Macau|Right of abode]]
| [[Hukou system|Hukou]]
|-
! Passport
| [[Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport|Hong Kong SAR passport]]
| [[Macao Special Administrative Region passport|Macau SAR passport]]
| [[Chinese passport]]
|-
! Passport Issuing Authorities
| [[Immigration Department (Hong Kong)|Immigration Department]]
| Identification Department ([[:zh:身份证明局|zh]])
| [[National Immigration Administration]];<br />[[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (China)|Ministry of Foreign Affairs]];
[[List of diplomatic missions in China|Diplomatic missions]]
|-
! Customs
| [[Customs and Excise Department (Hong Kong)|Customs and Excise Department]]
| Macao Customs Service ([[:zh:澳门海关|zh]])
| [[General Administration of Customs]]
|}

== Offer to Taiwan and other ROC-controlled areas ==
{{See also|Taiwan Province, People's Republic of China}}

The status of a special administrative region for [[free area of the Republic of China|Taiwan and other areas]] controlled by the [[Taiwan|Republic of China]] (ROC) was first proposed in 1981.<ref name="Ghai"/> The 1981 proposal was put forth by NPC chairman [[Ye Jianying]] called "Ye's nine points" ({{lang|zh-hant|葉九條}}).<ref name="big5taiwansar">{{cite web |url=http://big5.china.com.cn/zhuanti2005/txt/2004-12/20/content_5733737.htm |script-title=zh:"鄧六條"（1983年6月25日） |website=big5.china.com.cn |date=20 December 2004 |access-date=14 December 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927152143/http://big5.china.com.cn/zhuanti2005/txt/2004-12/20/content_5733737.htm |archive-date=27 September 2011 |url-status=live  }}</ref> A series of different offers have since appeared. On 25 June 1983 [[Deng Xiaoping]] appeared at [[Seton Hall University]] in the US to propose "Deng's six points" ({{lang|zh-hant|鄧六條}}), which called for a "Taiwan Special Administrative Region" ({{lang|zh-hant|台湾特別行政区}}).<ref name="big5taiwansar"/> It was envisioned that after Taiwan's unification with the PRC as an SAR, the PRC would become the sole representative of China.<ref name="big5taiwansar"/> Under this proposal, Taiwan would be guaranteed its own military,<ref name="big5taiwansar"/> its own administrative and legislative powers, an independent judiciary and the right of adjudication, although it would not be considered a separate government of China.<ref name="big5taiwansar"/>

In 2005 the [[Anti-Secession Law]] of the PRC was enacted. It promises the lands currently ruled by the authorities of Taiwan a high degree of autonomy, among other things.<ref name="UNr"/> The PRC can also employ non-peaceful means and other necessary measures to defend its claims to sovereignty over the ROC's territories in the event of an outright declaration of independence by Taiwan (ROC).<ref name="UNr">United Nations refugee agency. "[http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/country,,NATLEGBOD,,CHN,,474403752,0.html UNHCR] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018172546/http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/country,,NATLEGBOD,,CHN,,474403752,0.html |date=18 October 2012 }}." ''Anti-Secession Law (No. 34).'' Retrieved on 14 December 2009.</ref>

In January 2019, the 40-year anniversary of a statement made by the PRC to Taiwan in 1979, [[Chinese Communist Party]] [[General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party|general secretary]] [[Xi Jinping]] outlined in a speech how the "one country, two systems" principle would be applied to Taiwan.<ref name=":0"/> Several major points from the speech include:<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.brookings.edu/blog/order-from-chaos/2019/01/07/8-key-things-to-notice-from-xi-jinpings-new-year-speech-on-taiwan/|title=8 key things to notice from Xi Jinping's New Year speech on Taiwan|last=Bush|first=Richard C.|date=7 January 2019|website=Brookings|language=en-US|access-date=9 January 2019}}</ref>

* Taiwan would be a special administrative region of China, and part of the PRC. The ROC would cease to exist.<ref name=":0" />
* Taiwan's institutions would metamorphose into sub-national bodies.<ref name=":0" />
* Taiwan's social system and economic lifestyle would be respected.<ref name=":0" />
* Taiwan's private property rights, belief systems, and legitimate rights and interests would be safeguarded.<ref name=":0" />
* The Taiwan issue should not be passed down from generation to generation (i.e. reunification should be done promptly).<ref name=":0" />
* The reunification of Taiwan would lead to the [[great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation]].<ref name=":0" />

== Wolong ==
The [[Wolong National Nature Reserve|Wolong Special Administrative Region]]<ref name="wolointro">[http://www.chinawolong.gov.cn/PandaUS/common_detail.action?id=3083 Wolong Introduction] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150711101052/http://www.chinawolong.gov.cn/PandaUS/common_detail.action?id=3083 |date=11 July 2015 }}</ref> ({{zh|c=卧龙特别行政区 |p = Wòlóng Tèbié Xíngzhèngqū}}) is located in the southwest of [[Wenchuan County]], [[Ngawa Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture]] of Sichuan. It was formerly known as Wolong Special Administrative Region of Wenchuan County, Sichuan Province and was founded in March 1983 with approval of the State Council. It was given its current name and placed under Sichuan provincial government with administrative supervision by the provincial department of forestry. Its area supersedes Sichuan [[Wolong National Nature Reserve]] and its administrative office is the same as the Administrative Bureau of the State Forestry Administration for the reserve. It currently has a population of 5,343.<ref name="wolointro"/>

Despite its name, {{cn span|the Wolong Special Administrative Region is not an SAR as defined by Article 31 of the [[Constitution of China]].|date=June 2024}} This is primarily because the Wolong Special Administrative Region was established with the approval of the State Council, rather than "by law enacted by the National People's Congress" as stipulated in Article 31 of the Constitution.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ipm.edu.mo/cntfiles/upload/docs/research/common/1country_2systems/academic_eng/issue3/07.pdf|title=A Brief Review of the Special Administrative Regions and the Special Administrative Region System|access-date=10 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150711071222/http://www.ipm.edu.mo/cntfiles/upload/docs/research/common/1country_2systems/academic_eng/issue3/07.pdf|archive-date=11 July 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Defunct SARs ==
In the [[Republic of China (1912–1949)|Republic of China]] (ROC) era between 1912 and 1949, the "special administrative regions" ({{zh|t=特別行政區|p=tèbié xíngzhèngqū}}) were historically used to designate special areas by the [[Beiyang government]], most of which were eventually converted into [[Provinces of China|provinces]] by the [[Nationalist government]] in 1928. All were suspended or abolished after the end of the [[Chinese Civil War]], with the establishment of the People's Republic of China (PRC) and the ROC government's [[retreat of the government of the Republic of China to Taiwan|retreat]] to [[Taiwan]], but they continued to exist as provinces under ROC law.{{Citation needed|date=October 2024}} The regions were:

{|class=wikitable
! Name !! Chinese !! [[Pinyin]] !! Created !! Became<br />province !! Current status
|-
| [[Suiyuan]] || {{lang|ja|綏遠}} || Suíyuǎn || 1914 || 1928 || Part of [[Inner Mongolia]]
|-
| [[Chahar Province|Chahar]] || {{lang|ja|察哈尔}} || Cháhā'ěr || 1914 || 1928 || Distributed into [[Inner Mongolia]], [[Beijing]] and [[Hebei]]
|-
| [[Rehe Province|Jehol]] || {{lang|ja|熱河}} || Rèhé || 1914 || 1928 || Distributed into [[Hebei]], [[Liaoning]] and [[Inner Mongolia]]
|-
| [[Xikang|Chwanpien]] || {{lang|zh-hk|川边}} || Chuānbiān || 1914 || 1935 <small>(as [[Xikang|Xikang Province]])</small> || Western [[Sichuan]] and eastern [[Tibet Autonomous Region]]
|-
| Tungsheng || {{lang|ja|東省}} || Dōngshěng || 1924 || || Land along the [[Chinese Eastern Railway]], now part of [[Heilongjiang]]
|-
| [[Weihaiwei under British rule|Weihai]] || {{lang|ja|威海}} || Wēihǎi || 1930 || || Part of [[Shandong]]
|-
| [[Hainan]] || {{lang|ja|海南}} || Hǎinán || 1944 || <small>In preparation in 1949</small> || [[Hainan]] Province since 1988
|}

== See also ==
{{Portal|China|Hong Kong|Taiwan}}
{{Spoken Wikipedia|Special administrative region (People's Republic of China).ogg|date=2006-07-23}}

* [[Autonomous regions of China]]
* [[Constitution of China]]
* [[Federacy]]
* [[History of Hong Kong]]
** [[British Hong Kong]] (1841-1997)
* [[History of Macau]]
** [[Portuguese Macau]] (1557-1999)

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}
{{reflist|group=note}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

{{Province-level divisions of China}}
{{Hong Kong topics}}
{{Macau topics}}
[[Category:Special administrative regions of China| ]]<!-- please leave the empty space as standard -->
[[Category:Province-level divisions of China]]