A/HRC/25/5 143. Slovakia encouraged a review of the death penalty and enquired about civil society involvement in decision-making. 144. Slovenia encouraged ratification of ICCPR and integration of its provisions into domestic legislation. 145. South Africa highlighted the Government’s effective response to the global financial crisis. 146. South Sudan commended the response of China to the global financial crisis and special preferential policies to promote economic and social development in the Tibet Autonomous Region. 147. Spain commended the participation of China in the UPR process and acknowledged the trend towards reducing the use of the death penalty. 148. Sri Lanka commended the adoption of national action plans and MDG progress, and efforts in promoting the right to development and achieving food security, especially for vulnerable groups. 149. The State of Palestine acknowledged efforts to promote human rights and encouraged implementation of NHRAP. 150. China and other developing countries maintained close cooperation and supported each other. Since 2000, China has provided assistance to over 120 developing countries, built over 200 schools and 30 hospitals and malaria control centres, and trained 80,000 professionals of all types. 151. The delegation of Hong Kong, China, responded that press freedom is guaranteed by the Basic Law. Persons with disabilities enjoy the right to vote and stand for election in accordance with law. Disability discrimination in employment and the workplace is prohibited by legislation. Employment support and vocational training are provided to them. 152. The government of Macao, China, has been devoted to protecting the rights of the underprivileged groups by adopting different measures, such as enacting relevant legislation, implementing a 10-year plan for persons with disabilities and the elderly, granting subsidies and providing services for the needy. 153. China is making preparations for the ratification of ICCPR and will continue to carry out legislative and judicial reforms. 154. Lawyers in China participate in legislative process as well as policymaking and deliberations. The revised Law on Lawyers and the Criminal Procedure Law offer strong guarantees for lawyers to perform their duties. 155. China has implemented a comprehensive nine-year compulsory education system for all urban and rural dwellers and is committed to providing fair and quality education to all. Measures have been taken to speed up information-technology application in education, and make quality educational resources available to more people. 156. China is committed to keeping the channel open for people to express grievances and make complaints. It prohibits restriction of normal acts of petition in any forms, and would never allow suppression of petitioners or establishment of any forms of “black jails”. 157. Social organizations in China have developed in a healthy and orderly manner. The number of registered social organizations has reached 506,000. China is making efforts to push for reforms in the relevant areas, including strengthening legal development, perfecting supportive policies, and promoting separation of government and the social sector. 11