On July 1, 1997 and December 20, 1999, China resumed its sovereignty respectively over Hong Kong and Macau. Special Administrative Regions have been set up in those two places under the principle of one country two systems which grants them a high degree of autonomy. In accordance with the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China and the Basic Law of the Macau Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China, the international rights and obligations applicable to the two SARs under the Convenant fall into the mandate of the Chinese government. Their reports on the implementation of the Convenant have been submitted to the Committee for consideration as part of China's report.

Under the Basic Laws of the two SARs, Hong Kong and Macau have a social, economic and legal system which is different from that of the mainland and they also enjoy distinct executive and legislative power coupled with an independent judicial power and the power of final adjudication. In addition, they are also allowed to keep for 50 years the capitalist system and way of living and retain most of their original laws. As the implementation of the Convenant in those two SARs is different from that of the mainland, the parts on Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR in both the report and replies have been drafted by themselves.

Now, please allow me to pass the floor to Mr Stephen Fisher, Acting Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs of the Hong Kong SAR and Mr. Jorge Costa Oliveira, director of international law office of the Macau SAR to present the reports on the implementation of the Convenant in Hong Kong and Macau.