CRC/C/CHN/CO/2 page 10 Adoption 52. As noted in paragraph 5 above, the Committee notes with appreciation the ratification of the 1993 Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Cooperation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (No. 33). However, the Committee regrets the inadequate information available on the number of international adoptions and the number of agencies facilitating such adoptions on the mainland. It is further concerned about the lack of explicit guarantees that children without birth certificates maintain their right to an identity throughout the adoption process. 53. The Committee recommends that the State party: (a) Extend the application of the 1993 Hague Convention to the Hong Kong and Macau SARs as soon as possible; (b) Ensure that the legal provisions of the 1993 Hague Convention are incorporated into domestic legislation on the mainland and in the Hong Kong and Macau SARs; (c) Further strengthen the monitoring of agencies facilitating international adoptions, in particular with regard to possible trafficking of children and the use of fees and donations paid by adopting parents; (d) Enact legislative and administrative measures to ensure that all children without birth certificates are guaranteed their right to an identity throughout the adoption process; (e) Inform government officials and other professionals working with children without parental care that adoptions, in particular international adoptions, are an exceptional alternative care option and that the principles of non-discrimination and the best interests of the child must be taken into account when making such decisions. Abuse and neglect, maltreatment, violence 54. The Committee is concerned about the limited information available with regard to abuse, neglect and maltreatment of children in mainland China as well as the limited number of programmes available to combat violence and provide assistance to victims. 55. While noting efforts made to increase the number of social workers in the Hong Kong SAR, the Committee is concerned that policies and programmes to assist child victims of violence are not fully effective. 56. The Committee recommends that efforts to combat abuse, neglect, violence and maltreatment be strengthened in all parts of the State party, including through mandatory reporting requirements for staff working with children, such as doctors, teachers and social workers, and the establishment of specific helplines accessible and available to children.