Hong Kong Introduction

City Introduction

Hong Kong (Chinese: 香港; literally: "Fragrant Harbor"), officially Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, is an autonomous territory on the southern coast of China at the Pearl River Estuary of the South China Sea. Hong Kong is known for its skyline and deep natural harbor. It shares its northern border with the Guangdong Province of the Chinese mainland.

Hong Kong is among the world's most significant financial centers, and a world-known tourist destination city. Its service sector dominated economy is characterized by free trade and low taxation, and has been regarded as one of the world's most laissez-faire economic policies. In fact, the territory has consistently been listed as the freest market economy in the world. As the 44th-largest economy (in purchasing power parity terms) in the world, Hong Kong issues the world's 13th most traded currency, the Hong Kong dollar.

The Hong Kong Basic Law is its quasi-constitution which empowers the region to develop relations and make agreements directly with foreign states and regions, as well as international organizations, in a broad range of appropriate fields. It is an independent member of numerous international organizations, the IMF, WTO, APEC, FIFA and International Olympic Committee, to list a few.

Hong Kong is a center of modern architecture, and has the largest number of high-rises than any other urban agglomeration in the world. Hong Kong people enjoy the longest life expectancies and the highest national IQ estimate in the world.

(Image source: www.discoverhongkong.com)

History

Situated on the southeast coast of China, Hong Kong’s strategic location on the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea has made it one of the world’s most thriving and cosmopolitan cities.

Hong Kong as we know it today was born when China’s Qing dynasty government was defeated in the First Opium War in 1842, when it ceded Hong Kong Island to Britain. Within 60 years, Kowloon, the New Territories and 235 Outlying Islands were also leased to Britain. However, the history of the more than 1100 square kilometers that Hong Kong now occupies predates the events of the Qing dynasty by more than a thousand years. And, as you explore the city’s colorful heritage, you’ll discover stories of powerful clans, marauding pirates, and European traders.

From its earliest days as a British colony, Hong Kong served as a center of international trade. In the turbulent years of the early 20th century, the city’s population was bolstered by refugees, mostly from the mainland. The arrival of immigrants in large numbers helped launch a new role for Hong Kong as a major manufacturing hub. It also brought economically stimulating energy and industry to the city’s character. In recent decades, as the economy of the Chinese mainland has undergone a process of opening up, Hong Kong has transformed yet again – this time into a service-based economy as well as an important gateway to the world’s largest market.

Under the principle of 'One Country, Two Systems,' Hong Kong became a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China on July 1st, 1997. This arrangement allows the city to enjoy a high degree of autonomy, including retaining its capitalist system, independent judiciary and rule of law, free trade, and freedom of speech.

A look at the city’s history could give a strong impression that change is the only constant here. However, despite all its reinventions, Hong Kong’s spirit has never changed. In fact, the same energy and dynamism that turned a group of sleepy fishing villages into a crossroads of international trade is now taking Asia’s world city into the 21st century.

Natural Environment

Positioned at the mouth of the Pearl River Delta on the coast of southern China, Hong Kong’s geographical position as a gateway between the East and West has made it an attractive center for international trade. As a reflection of this, the heart of Asia’s world city has always been the bustling and beautiful Victoria Harbor. Hong Kong’s 1,104-square-kilometer area comprises Hong Kong Island, which lies to the south of the harbor, the Kowloon Peninsula, which forms its northern shores, the New Territories to the north of Kowloon, which stretch all the way to the mainland, and more than 200 outlying islands, including Lantau Island, where Hong Kong International Airport is located.

Climate

Hong Kong has a sub-tropical climate with distinct seasons. The only predictable weather events that could have a significant impact on your travel plans are typhoons.

Typhoon season begins in May and ends in November. When a typhoon is approaching, warnings are broadcast on television and radio. There are various degrees of warning signals issued by the Hong Kong Observatory, but when the no. 8 signal is in place, most businesses and shops close down and flights may be cancelled. There is a separate warning system for heavy rain.