Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions are located
on the east and west banks of the estuary of the Pearl River
respectively. Hong Kong and Macao have been Chinese territory since
ancient times, and were occupied by Britain and Portugal
respectively after the Opium War of 1840. In accordance with the
Sino-British Joint Declaration on the Question of Hong Kong signed
in 1984, China resumed its exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong
on July 1, 1997, and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
(HKSAR) of the People's Republic of China was formally established.
In accordance with the Sino-Portugal Joint Declaration on the
Question of Macao signed in 1987, China resumed its sovereignty
over Macao on December 20, 1999 and the Macao Special
Administrative Region (MSAR) was formally established.
The Chinese government carries out the basic policies of "one
country, two systems," "administration of Hong Kong by the Hong
Kong people" and "administration of Macao by the Macao people," and
"a high degree of autonomy" in both Hong Kong and Macao. "One
country, two systems" refers to the fact that in China, a unified
country, the mainland practices the socialist system, while Hong
Kong and Macao retain their original capitalist system and way of
life unchanged for 50 years; "administration of Hong Kong by the
Hong Kong people" means that the HKSAR is administered by the Hong
Kong people on their own, and the central authorities shall not
send officials to the HKSAR to fill local official posts;
"administration of Macao by the Macao people" means that the MSAR
is administered by the Macao people on their own, and the central
authorities shall not send officials to the MSAR to fill local
official posts; and "a high degree of autonomy" means that apart
from foreign and national defense affairs, which should be
administered by the central authorities, the HKSAR and MSAR shall
fully enjoy the power of decision over matters within their
autonomous jurisdiction, including executive, legislative,
independent judicial and final adjudication powers.
The present Chief Executive of the HKSAR is Donald Tsang Yam-kuen,
and the present Chief Executive of the MSAR is Ho Hau-Wah.
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