The instrument of accession contained a notification to the effect that the Government of the People’s Republic of China will avail itself of the exceptions for which provisions is made in Articles Vter and Vquater of the Convention.
Territorial application to Macau notified on December 2, 1999. On 13 November 1999, the Director-General received a letter from the State Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Portugal notify him that: “In accordance with the Joint Declaration of the Government of the Portuguese Republic and the Government of the People’s Republic of China on the Question of Macau signed on 13 April 1987, the Portuguese Republic will continue to have international responsibility for Macau until 19 December 1999 and from that onwards the People’s Republic of China will resume the exercise of sovereignty over Macau with effect from 20 December 1999. From 20 December 1999 onwards the Portuguese Republic will cease to be responsible for the international rights and obligations arising from the application of the above-mentioned Convention to Macau”.
Territorial application to Hong Kong notified on June 9, 1997. On 30 June 1997 the Director-General received from the Government of United Kingdom the following notification: “(…) in accordance with the Joint Declaration of the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the People’s Republic of China on the Question of Hong Kong signed on 19 December 1984, the Government of the United Kingdom will restore Hong Kong to the People’s Republic of China with effect from 1 July 1997. The Government of the United Kingdom will continue to have international responsibility for Hong Kong until that date. Therefore, from that date the Government of the United Kingdom will cease to be responsible for the international rights and obligations arising from the application of the Convention and Protocols to Hong Kong ”.