ICRC databases on international humanitarian law
  • Print page

On 16 September 1999, the Government of Portugal informed the Secretary-General that the Convention would apply to Macau.

Subsequently, the Secretary-General received the following communication on the date indicated hereinafter:

China (17 December 1999):

In accordance with the Joint Declaration of the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Portugal on the Question of Macau (hereinafter referred to as the Joint Declaration), the Government of the People's Republic of China will resume the exercise of sovereignty over Macau with effect from 20 December 1999. Macau will, from that date, become a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China and will enjoy a high degree of autonomy, except in foreign and defense affairs which are the responsibilities of the Central People's Government of the People's Republic of China.

In this connection, [the Government of the People's Republic of China informs the Secretary-General of the following:]

The Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, adopted at Paris on 9 December 1948 (hereinafter referred to as the "Convention"), to which the Government of the People's Republic of China deposited the instrument of ratification on 18 April 1983, will apply to the Macau Special Administrative Region with effect from 20 December 1999. The Government of the People's Republic of China also wishes to make the following declaration:

The reservation made by the Government of the People's Republic of China to Article 9 of the Convention will also apply to the Macau Special Administrative Region.

The Government of the People's Republic of China will assume responsibility for the international rights and obligations arising from the application of the Convention to the Macau Special Administrative Region.
09.02.1999

16.09.1999