About the administrative division, the People's Republic of China , with the population of 1,301,531,000 and the area of 10, 45 0,000km2, administers 34 province-level divisions, including 23 provinces, 5 autonomous regions,4 municipalities, and 2 special administrative regions. The special administrative region is a local administrative area directly controled under the Central Government, Under the Province level, there are Prefecture level, County level, Township level, and Village level making up by 41,636 township-level divisions, 333 prefectures and cities, 2,862 county-level regions and 704,386 villages and committees.
In China’s administrative division, provinces are theoretically subservient to the PRC central government, but in practice provincial officials have large discretion with regard to economic policy. And the subsidiary cities, regions and villages are controlled directly by the upper departments, while the upper leaders take the responsibility of the activities of the subsidiary. The 5 autonomous regions are Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Ningxia Hui Nationality Autonomous Region, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and Tibet Autonomous Region.
Now, under the leadership of central government and the positive activities of local people and governments of China’s administrative divisions, a harmonious and prosperous picture of China has been presented and all the administrative divisions of China work friendly as a unity. Such as Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Macao Special Administrative Region who are reverted from British in 1997 and Portuguese in 1999 respectively, have made great and obvious progress in the economy and other aspects under the policy of "One country, two systems".
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Hong Kong lies on the eastern side of the Pearl River Delta, bordering Guangdong in the north and facing the South China Sea in the east, west and south. Influenced by both Eastern and Western cultures, Hong Kong has formed its unique formative experience. Under the “one country, two systems” policy, the Central People's Government is responsible for the territory's defense and foreign affairs, while Hong Kong maintains its own legal system, police force, monetary system, customs policy, and delegates to international organizations and events. Each district is represented by a District Council that advises the Government of Hong Kong on local matters such as public facilities, community programs, cultural activities and environmental improvements.
Macao Special Administrative Region
Macao is located on the Southeast coast of China to the west of the Pearl River Delta, whose climate is warm and humid. Colonized by the Portuguese in the 16th century, Macao became the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China on 20 December 1999. China has promised that, under its "one country, two systems" formula, China's socialist economic system will not be practiced in Macao and that Macao will enjoy a high degree of autonomy in all matters except foreign and defense affairs.