An Introduction to Hong Kong 香 港 简 介

Abbreviation: Gang 港
Area: 1,104 square kilometers
Population: 6.73 million
Location: In south China and the east flank of the South China’s Pearl River estuary

Hong Kong is very small—it is only a dot on a map of the world.

Hong Kong only has an area of 1,104 square kilometers, less than one-100,000th of the global area. Its population of 6.73 million is one-1,000th of the world’s population. However, Hong Kong enjoys big fame in the world over. Reputed ass an international financial, trading, shipping, information, tourism and free port, it is the world champion in a dozen fields.
China resumed the sovereignty over Hong Kong at zero hour, July 1, 1997.
The inland China is also the largest market for Hong Kong’s enter pot trade and the top source of re-export goods. Hong Kong earns more than 120 billion HK dollars a year from enter pot trade with the inland China.
Tourism has been a pillar of Hong Kong’s economy for decades. In 2003, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) received 15.537 million visitors by turnstile count, of whom 6.83 million from the inland China.
Hong Kong is acknowledged as a shopping paradise, dietary world, leisure summer resort, and culture window as well.

The Chinese Government has on many occasions reiterated its commitment to a stable and prosperous Hong Kong by adhering to the policy of “one country, two systems,” “Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong,” and “a high degree of autonomy,” which are all guaranteed in the Basic Law of the HKSAR. The Basic Law stipulates in legal terms that the current economic and social systems as well as the lifestyle in Hong Kong will remain intact. The central government will leave Hong Kong affairs to the HKSAR government, with the exception of issues related to defense and foreign affairs. While guaranteeing complete financial independence for Hong Kong, the Basic Law requires the HKSAR to ensure a proper economic and legal environment to retain its status as an international financial center and free port.

Hong Kong Continues to Move Ahead

During eight years since the return of Hong Kong in 1997, the Basic Law has been fully implemented, paving the way for the smooth operation of Hong Kong’s own social, economic, administrative, legislative and judicial systems. Hong Kong, a free port and one of the world’s safest cities, continues to enjoy its position as a major world financial, trade and shipping center. It still boasts one of the world’s safest cities, continues to enjoy its position as a major world financial, trade and shipping center. It still boasts one of the world’s most liberal and dynamic economic systems. With its strategic location at the doorway to the inland China, Hong Kong has been serving as a global center for trade, finance, business and communications. Hong Kong has now ranked as the ninth largest trading center in the world. Now more and more Hong Kong people believe he inland China is the best support for the further development of Hong Kong and also that Hong Kong is an important window and bridge between the inland China and the outside world.

The Return of Hong Kong to China

As early as 1689, the fragrance of the Hong Kong Harbour lured British merchant vessels to its shores. But it was not until 1816 that the East India Company made regular use of the port, trading in opium, cotton, manufactured goods, tea and silk, As years went on, the British desire for increased trade and a free port with no barriers to trade escalated. Tensions mounted between China and Britain, resulting in the Opium Wars, between 1840-1842. In March 1842, Sir Henry Pottinger, who later became the first governor of Hong Kong, declared Hong Kong open to indiscriminate and free trading. However, in the eyes of both China and Britain, Hong Kong was not considered a colony until one year later, June 26, 1843 with the ratification of the Nanjing Treaty. In 1898, with the signing of the Beijing Treaty, the British sphere of influence expanded to include the Kowloon Peninsula north of Boundary Street.

By the turn of 20th century, Hong Kong had secured itself as one of the world’s major trading ports. The face of the harbour changed constantly and drastically with no regard for the past. It was no longer a portrait of classical colonial buildings, but a spectacle of towering buildings clamouring higher than the clouds above.

In the late 1970s and on into the 1980s, as the expiry of the-99-year lease approached, the government of the People’s Republic of China took up a fervent interest in the return of Hong Kong to China. In 1978, the Chinese Government established a “one country, two systems” policy for the new Special Administrative Region. On December 19, 1984, representatives of both the Chinese and British governments formally signed a joint declaration declaring the return of the territory to the motherland on July 1, 1997.

Tung Chee-hwa董建华, incumbent chief executive of the Hong Kong SAR was re-elected uncontested in the SAR’s second chief executive election in late February 2002. He resigned in March 2005 due to health condition.

Exploring Hong Kong

There is so much to explore in Hong Kong, but you may have a problem knowing where to start, so here is a hint. Just step outside and start exploring. There is a good chance you will be in the vicinity of a famous landmark, museum, shopping center, market, park restaurant or water hole. Hong Kong is divided into three main areas: Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories. Plus the Outlying Islands lie in the surrounding waters of the South China Sea The pages that follow detail just some of the amazing things you can see and do in each of these areas. Walking is the best way to explore, and efficient public transportation makes it easy to get from place to place. From modern skyscrapers to traditional temples and villages that have changed little over the centuries, Hong Kong has it all-often side-by-side. The choice is endless, but you can never go wrong.

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