A/HRC/11/25* advancements made in the level and extent of protection of human rights in particular, in the fields of employment, education, culture and public health. Noting the developmentoriented poverty alleviation strategy adopted since 1986 has contributed immensely to the reduction of poverty and improvement in the standard of living of its people across the country, Malaysia recommended (a) the sharing of China’s experiences and best practices in the reduction of poverty with other developing countries. Noting further that the Government has taken active role in supporting the participation of civil society NGOs and academic institutions in activities in the promotion and protection of human rights, it further recommended that China (b) consider strengthening its positive engagement with civil society, NGOs and academic institutions, with a view to enhancing the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms of its people. 99. The Chinese delegation thanked all speakers for their comments, questions and recommendations. With regard to the measures taken to ensure the right of housing the delegation noted that the policy is being implemented to offer an adequate shelter in order to help low- and middle-income families. In addition, the Government has been building low-cost housing every year. By the end of 2007, 17 million low- and middle-income families had been provided with houses under this programme. As for the low-income group with even greater difficulties, the Government have established a low-rent housing system, to provide either low-rent housing or offer a subsidy to find housing. This system has helped improving housing conditions of 950.000 low income families. 100. The HKSAR government is fully committed to promoting and protecting human rights in Hong Kong. Indeed, human rights and freedoms are guaranteed constitutionally by the Basic Law and through various local legislations, including equality before the law, freedom of speech and of the press, freedom of association, of assembly and of demonstration, freedom of religious belief and right to social welfare, and so on. The protection of human rights in Hong Kong is further reinforced by the rule of law and an independent judiciary system. In addition, there is an extensive institutional framework of organisations which help promote and safeguard human rights which is closely monitored by the Legislative Council of Hong Kong, civil society, the media and the general public. 101. The Macao SAR continues to strive to ensure the enjoyment and protection of fundamental rights and freedoms. Regarding the recommendation set forth by Benin, Macao SAR referred that it will enhance the monitoring mechanisms of the government policies in order to increase the law in action regarding human rights. It will continue reinforcing preventive measures and suppressing the trafficking of human beings and actively promote the enjoyment of human rights with due regard to young generations. It is keen to deepen political rights in a progressive to strengthen the government’s accountability to its citizens. It also plans to improve social rights in cooperation with civil society and extend compulsory education until the end of secondary school. In its efforts to step up on social housing the delegation informed that 20,000 social housing will be made available for low-income families. 102. The delegation noted that the most fundamental feature of China’s ethnic policy is equality. In China 155 areas of ethnic autonomous regions enjoy extensive autonomous rights in legislation, economics and culture. The second feature is that the ethnic autonomous regions may enjoy preferential treatment in finance and tax than other regions. The ratio of deputies of National People’s Congress of ethnic population is higher than that for Han ethnic group. The third feature is that the State respects the habits and customs of religious beliefs of minorities, and prohibits speeches and actions that instigate ethnic hatred and religious discrimination, protects, develops culture of ethnic minorities. The Government has helped thirteen ethnic minorities to create and improve their written languages. China has 56 ethnic groups that live in harmony, help each other and seek common development and there is no ethnic conflict. The delegation noted that regrettably, 24 GE. 09-16299