By note of December 8, 1999, the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China informed the Secretary of State of the following:
"The Convention on International Civil Aviation, signed at Chicago on 7 December 1944, which the Government of the People's Republic of China informed its admission on 15 February 1974 (hereinafter referred to as the Convention) shall apply to the Macao 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 statement made by the Government of the People's Republic of China to the provisions of Articles 5 and 9 of Chapter II and the provisions of Chapter XVIII shall also apply to the Macao Special Administrative Region.
The Government of the People's Republic of China shall assume responsibility for the international rights and obligations arising from the application of the Convention to the Macao Special Administrative Region."
By note of June 3, 1997, the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China informed the Secretary of State of the application of the Convention to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, following that country's resumption of the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong with effect from July 1, 1997. The Ambassador's note contained the following Declaration: "The execution of Chapter 18 must not, as a principle, prejudice the sovereignty of the People's Republic of China."
By a note of October 22, 1999, the Ambassador of Portugal informed the Secretary of State of the restoration of Macau to the People's Republic of China with effect from December 20, 1999, and that from that date the Government of the Portuguese Republic would cease to be responsible for the international rights and obligations arising from the application of the Convention to Macau.
By notes of June 11, 1997, the British Ambassador informed the Secretary of State of the restoration of Hong Kong to the People's Republic of China with effect from July 1, 1997, and that 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 to Hong Kong.