The Facts of Hong Kong

　　Hong Kong, described as a "barren rock" more than 150 years ago, has become a world-class financial, trading and business center and, indeed, a great world city.

　　Hong Kong has no natural resources, except one of the finest deep-water ports in the world. A hardworking, adaptable and well-educated workforce of about 3.58 million people, coupled with entrepreneurial flair, is the bedrock of Hong Kong's productivity and creativity.

　　Hong Kong became a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People's Republic of China on July 1, 1997, after a century and a half of British administration. Under Hong Kong's constitutional document, the Basic Law, the existing economic, legal and social systems will be maintained for 50 years. The SAR enjoys a high degree of autonomy except in defense and foreign affairs.

　　Location

　　Situated at the south-eastern tip of China, Hong Kong is ideally positioned at the center of rapidly developing east Asia. With a total area of 1, 104 square kilometers, it covers Hong Kong Island, Kowloon Peninsula, which is just opposite, and the New Territories - the more rural section of Hong Kong, which also includes 262 outlying islands.

　　Major International Trading Centre

　　Hong Kong is the world's 11th largest trading economy, the world's sixth largest foreign exchange market, the world's 15th largest banking center and Asia's second biggest stock market. Hong Kong is one of the world's top exporters of garments, watches and clocks, toys, games, electronic products and certain light industrial products.

　　Global Services Center

　　Hong Kong was the world's 11th largest exporter of services in 2005. Travel and tourism, trade-related services, transportation services, financial and banking services and professional services are the main components of trade in services.

　　International Corporate Base

　　About 3,900 international corporations have established regional headquarters or offices in Hong Kong. The major types of business include the wholesale or retail and import and export trades, other business services, such as accounting, advertising and legal services, finance and banking, manufacturing, transport and related services.