Difference between revisions of "Special Administrative Region"
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'''Special Administrative Regions''' (SAR's) are statuses created by the government of [[China]] under its [[constitution]] 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. They have their own [[legal system]]s, [[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 [[passport]]s 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 than holders of Chinese passports issued by the Mainland authorities | '''Special Administrative Regions''' (SAR's) are statuses created by the government of [[China]] under its [[constitution]] 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. They have their own [[legal system]]s, [[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 [[passport]]s 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 than holders of Chinese passports issued by the Mainland authorities | ||
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| + | == References == | ||
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| + | [http://www.gov.hk/en/about/abouthk/facts.htm] | ||
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| + | [http://www.gov.hk/en/residents/immigration/traveldoc/index.htm] | ||
Revision as of 12:34, June 29, 2007
Special Administrative Regions (SAR's) are statuses created by the government of China under its constitution 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 Laws 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. They 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 Residents of their respective SAR's. While these passports are still Chinese Citizen passports, their holders are generally given much more favourable immigration treatment than holders of Chinese passports issued by the Mainland authorities
