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'''Special Administrative Regions''' (SAR's) are statuses created by the government of [[China]] to deal with the return of [[Hong Kong]] and [[Macau]] to Chinese [[sovereignty]] in 1997 and 1999 respectively. The two SAR's are governed by [[Basic Law]]s which spell out the system of government in each territory and the powers of those governments. Essentially, the SAR governments are responsible for everything locally except matters relating to defence and foreign affairs.  

'''Special Administrative Regions''' (SAR's) are statuses created by the government of [[China]] to deal with the return of [[Hong Kong]] and [[Macau]] to Chinese [[sovereignty]] in 1997 and 1999 respectively. The two SAR's are governed by [[Basic Law]]s which spell out the system of government in each territory and the powers of those governments. Essentially, the SAR governments are responsible for everything locally except matters relating to defence and foreign affairs.  

The media are free, but there are no real elections and all political power is held by aapointees of the Communist government in Beijing.

The media are free, but there are no real elections and all political power is held by appointees of the Communist government in Beijing.

SAR's have their own legal systems, immigration and customs controls and currencies. In fact, they are almost like separate countries in this respect. The two SAR's also issue their own passports to Chinese citizens who are [[Permanent Resident]]s of their respective SAR's. While these passports are still Chinese Citizen passports, their holders are generally given much more favourable immigration treatment abroad than holders of Chinese passports issued by the Mainland authorities

SAR's have their own legal systems, immigration and customs controls and currencies. In fact, they are almost like separate countries in this respect. The two SAR's also issue their own passports to Chinese citizens who are [[Permanent Resident]]s of their respective SAR's. While these passports are still Chinese Citizen passports, their holders are generally given much more favorable immigration treatment abroad than holders of Chinese passports issued by the Mainland authorities

==see also==

==see also==

* [[Hong Kong]]

* [[Hong Kong]]