---
title: "Special Administrative Regions Definition | Model Diplomat"
description: "Special Administrative Regions are autonomous Chinese units under \"one country, two systems,\" crucial for understanding Hong Kong and Macau's unique governance."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/special-administrative-regions"
---

[New](https://modeldiplomat.com/)

#

Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- Special Administrative Regions are autonomous Chinese sub-national units governed under "one country, two systems," retaining capitalist economic and legal systems distinct from the mainland.
- Which constitutional provision authorises Special Administrative Regions in China?
- How does a Special Administrative Region differ from an autonomous region in China?
- What powers does Beijing retain over the SARs?
- What is the significance of the year 2047 for Hong Kong?

[Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services/glossary)Updated June 22, 2026

Special Administrative Regions are autonomous Chinese sub-national units governed under "one country, two systems," retaining capitalist economic and legal systems distinct from the mainland.

Go beyond the definition

## Research special administrative regions like a delegate

Model Diplomat's AI drafts position papers, speeches, and country research with real sources — built for MUN and politics students.

## Timeline

1. 1 July 1997

   The two existing SARs are Hong Kong (established , on the expiry of Britain's New Territories lease and pursuant to the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration)…

2. 20 December 1999

   The two existing SARs are Hong Kong (established 1 July 1997, on the expiry of Britain's New Territories lease and pursuant to the 1984 Sino-British Joint De…

3. 30 June 2020

   Following the 2019 anti-extradition-bill protests, Beijing's NPC Standing Committee imposed the Hong Kong National Security Law on , criminalising secession,…

## Research it like a delegate

Research on modeldiplomat.com

## Ask a follow-up about special administrative regions

Open a cited briefing in Model Diplomat search — timelines, positions, and sources you can use in committee or exam answers.

[Start research on special administrative regions](https://modeldiplomat.com/search?q=Explain%20special%20administrative%20regions%20%E2%80%94%20key%20dates%2C%20actors%2C%20positions%2C%20and%20sources)

Example

In 2020, China's NPC Standing Committee imposed the Hong Kong National Security Law on the Hong Kong SAR following the 2019 protests, criminalising secession and subversion and reshaping its autonomy under "one country, two systems."

Keep learning

## Go deeper than the definition

Lessons

[Provincial Local Government Hierarchy](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/lessons/china-political-system-provincial-local-government-hierarchy)[The Constitution State Structure](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/lessons/china-political-system-the-constitution-state-structure)

Courses

[China Political System](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/courses/china-political-system)

[Explore all Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams lessons](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services)[Test yourself with a quiz](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/quiz/civil-services)

## Take special administrative regions beyond the glossary

Ask the AI research engine built for diplomacy — get briefings, position papers, and speeches with sources you can cite in committee.