Hong Kong: Difference between revisions
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| ⚫ | The '''Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China''', generally shortened to '''Hong Kong''' (香港; [[Standard Cantonese|Cantonese]] [[International Phonetic Alphabet|IPA]]: {{IPA|/hœːŋ¹kɔːŋ²/}}; [[Jyutping]]: hoeng1 gong2; [[Yale Romanization#Cantonese|Yale]]: heūng góng; [[pinyin]]: Xiānggǎng; [[Wade-Giles]]: Hsiang-kang), is one of the two [[Special Administrative Region]]s of the [[People's Republic of China]], the other being [[Macau]]. It was a British [[crown colony]] before the [[handover (history)|transfer of sovereignty]] in [[1997]]. It usually participates in international events under the name, "Hong Kong, China". |
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| ⚫ | The '''Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China''', generally shortened to '''Hong Kong''' (香港; [[Standard Cantonese|Cantonese]] [[International Phonetic Alphabet|IPA]]: {{IPA| |
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Hong Kong consists of [[Hong Kong Island]], [[Kowloon]], and the [[New Territories]]<!--Lantau Island is part of New Territories-->. The [[Kowloon Peninsula]] is attached to the New Territories in the north, and the New Territories are in turn connected to the [[mainland China|mainland of China]] across the [[Sham Chun River]]<!-- it is named in this way in Hong Kong-->. In total, Hong Kong has [[Islands of Hong Kong|236 islands]] in the [[South China Sea]], of which [[Lantau Island|Lantau]] is the largest and Hong Kong Island the second largest and most populated. [[Ap Lei Chau]] is the most densely-populated. |
Hong Kong consists of [[Hong Kong Island]], [[Kowloon]], and the [[New Territories]]<!--Lantau Island is part of New Territories-->. The [[Kowloon Peninsula]] is attached to the New Territories in the north, and the New Territories are in turn connected to the [[mainland China|mainland of China]] across the [[Sham Chun River]]<!-- it is named in this way in Hong Kong-->. In total, Hong Kong has [[Islands of Hong Kong|236 islands]] in the [[South China Sea]], of which [[Lantau Island|Lantau]] is the largest and Hong Kong Island the second largest and most populated. [[Ap Lei Chau]] is the most densely-populated. |
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[[Victoria City]] is the location where many government operations take place, and most government departments have their head offices. Whether it is the capital of the territory, however, is disputed. Some consider it ceased to be the capital since the transfer of sovereignty. |
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Under the policy of the '[[One country, two systems|One Country, Two Systems]]', Hong Kong enjoys a considerable degree of [[autonomy]] from [[Mainland China|the Mainland]], as well as continuing to have its own [[legal system]], [[currency]], [[customs]], [[immigration]] authorities, and its own [[Rules of the road|rule of the road]], with [[traffic]] continuing to drive on the left, for example. Only [[national defense|national defence]] and [[diplomatic relations]] are responsibilities of the central government in [[Beijing]]. |
Under the policy of the '[[One country, two systems|One Country, Two Systems]]', Hong Kong enjoys a considerable degree of [[autonomy]] from [[Mainland China|the Mainland]], as well as continuing to have its own [[legal system]], [[currency]], [[customs]], [[immigration]] authorities, and its own [[Rules of the road|rule of the road]], with [[traffic]] continuing to drive on the left, for example. Only [[national defense|national defence]] and [[diplomatic relations]] are responsibilities of the central government in [[Beijing]]. |
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|[[Official language]]s |
|[[Official language]]s |
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|[[Chinese language|Chinese]] ([[Standard Cantonese|Cantonese]] spoken de facto) and [[English language|English]] |
|[[Chinese language|Chinese]] ([[Standard Cantonese|Cantonese]] spoken de facto) and [[English language|English]] |
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|[[Capital]] |
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|[[Victoria City]] {{fn|1}} |
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|[[Chief Executive of Hong Kong|Chief Executive]] |
|[[Chief Executive of Hong Kong|Chief Executive]] |
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|[[Tung Chee |
|[[Tung Chee Hwa]] |
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|[[Area]]<br /> - Total <br /> - % water |
|[[Area]]<br /> - Total <br /> - % water |
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|[[National_emblem|Flower]]||[[Bauhinia_blakeana|Bauhinia]] |
|[[National_emblem|Flower]]||[[Bauhinia_blakeana|Bauhinia]] |
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|colspan=2|<small>{{fnb|1}} Disputed. Some consider "Victoria City" ceased to be the capital since the transfer of sovereignty.</small> |
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[[Legislative Council of Hong Kong|Legislative Council]] elections were held on [[May 24]], [[1998]], [[September 10]], [[2000]], and again on [[September 12]], [[2004]], with the next scheduled for [[2008]]. According to the [[Hong Kong Basic Law|Basic Law]], Hong Kong's "Mini-[[constitution]]", the present third term of the Legislative Council has 30 seats directly elected from geographical constituencies, and 30 seats elected from [[Functional constituency|functional constituencies]]. The 1998, 2000 and [[Hong Kong legislative election, 2004|2004]] Legislative Council elections were seen as free, open, and widely contested, despite discontent among mainly 'pro-democracy' politicians, who contended that the functional constituency elections and the Election Committee elections (for 1998 and 2000) were undemocratic as they consider that the electorate for these seats is too narrow. |
[[Legislative Council of Hong Kong|Legislative Council]] elections were held on [[May 24]], [[1998]], [[September 10]], [[2000]], and again on [[September 12]], [[2004]], with the next scheduled for [[2008]]. According to the [[Hong Kong Basic Law|Basic Law]], Hong Kong's "Mini-[[constitution]]", the present third term of the Legislative Council has 30 seats directly elected from geographical constituencies, and 30 seats elected from [[Functional constituency|functional constituencies]]. The 1998, 2000 and [[Hong Kong legislative election, 2004|2004]] Legislative Council elections were seen as free, open, and widely contested, despite discontent among mainly 'pro-democracy' politicians, who contended that the functional constituency elections and the Election Committee elections (for 1998 and 2000) were undemocratic as they consider that the electorate for these seats is too narrow. |
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The civil service of Hong Kong maintains its quality and neutrality, operating without discernible direction from [[Beijing]]. |
The civil service of Hong Kong maintains its quality and neutrality, operating without discernible direction from [[Beijing]]. |
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The [[Right of abode issue, Hong Kong|Right of abode issue]] sparked debates in [[1999]], while the controversy over [[Hong Kong Basic Law Article 23]] was the focus of politics in Hong Kong between [[2002]] and [[2003]] culminating in a peaceful mass demonstration in 2003 after which the government was forced to indefinitely shelve further consideration of amendments to Article 23. Afterwards, the focus of controversies shifted to the issue of [[universal suffrage]] towards the end of [[2003]] and in 2004, which was the slogan of another peaceful mass demonstration in 2004. |
The [[Right of abode issue, Hong Kong|Right of abode issue]] sparked debates in [[1999]], while the controversy over [[Hong Kong Basic Law Article 23]] was the focus of politics in Hong Kong between [[2002]] and [[2003]] culminating in a peaceful mass demonstration in 2003 after which the government was forced to indefinitely shelve further consideration of amendments to Article 23. Afterwards, the focus of controversies shifted to the issue of [[universal suffrage]] towards the end of [[2003]] and in 2004, which was the slogan of another peaceful mass demonstration in 2004. |
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Revision as of 08:43, 1 March 2005
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, generally shortened to Hong Kong (香港; Cantonese IPA: /hœːŋ¹kɔːŋ²/; Jyutping: hoeng1 gong2; Yale: heūng góng; pinyin: Xiānggǎng; Wade-Giles: Hsiang-kang), is one of the two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China, the other being Macau. It was a British crown colony before the transfer of sovereignty in 1997. It usually participates in international events under the name, "Hong Kong, China".
Hong Kong consists of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, and the New Territories. The Kowloon Peninsula is attached to the New Territories in the north, and the New Territories are in turn connected to the mainland of China across the Sham Chun River. In total, Hong Kong has 236 islands in the South China Sea, of which Lantau is the largest and Hong Kong Island the second largest and most populated. Ap Lei Chau is the most densely-populated.
Victoria City is the location where many government operations take place, and most government departments have their head offices. Whether it is the capital of the territory, however, is disputed. Some consider it ceased to be the capital since the transfer of sovereignty.
Under the policy of the 'One Country, Two Systems', Hong Kong enjoys a considerable degree of autonomy from the Mainland, as well as continuing to have its own legal system, currency, customs, immigration authorities, and its own rule of the road, with traffic continuing to drive on the left, for example. Only national defence and diplomatic relations are responsibilities of the central government in Beijing.
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| Official languages | Chinese (Cantonese spoken de facto) and English | ||||
| Capital | Victoria City Template:Fn | ||||
| Chief Executive | Tung Chee Hwa | ||||
| Area - Total - % water |
(Not ranked) 1,102.15 km² 4.6% | ||||
| Population - Total |
(Not ranked) 6,803,100 (July 2003) | ||||
| GDP (2003) - Total |
37th, 30th, 14th, 21st US$199 billion (PPP) | ||||
| Establishment - Date |
Handover to the PRC | ||||
| Currency | Hong Kong dollar (HKD) | ||||
| Time zone | UTC +8 (AWST) | ||||
| Internet TLD | .hk | ||||
| Calling Code | 852 also 01 from Macau | ||||
| Flower | Bauhinia | ||||
| Template:Fnb Disputed. Some consider "Victoria City" ceased to be the capital since the transfer of sovereignty. | |||||
History
Main article: History of Hong Kong
Although it was occupied at least since the Neolithic Age, the territory of today's Hong Kong remained distant from the major events unfolding in imperial China for most of its history. It began attracting worldwide attention in the 19th century.
Occupied by United Kingdom during the First Opium War in 1841, Hong Kong Island was formally ceded by China the following year under the Treaty of Nanking. Parts of the adjacent Kowloon Peninsula (south of Boundary Street), and the Stonecutter's Island were ceded to Britain in 1860 by the Convention of Peking after the Second Opium War. Various adjacent lands, known as the New Territories (including New Kowloon) were then leased to Britain for 99 years from July 1, 1898 to June 30, 1997.
Pursuant to an agreement signed by the People's Republic of China (PRC) and the United Kingdom (UK) on December 19, 1984, the Sino-British Joint Declaration, the whole territory of Hong Kong under British colonial rule became the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the PRC on July 1, 1997.
In the Joint Declaration, the PRC promised that under the "One Country, Two Systems" policy proposed by Deng Xiaoping, China's socialist economic system would not be practised in Hong Kong and that Hong Kong would enjoy a high degree of autonomy in all matters except foreign affairs and defence for 50 years until 2047.
Politics
Main article: Politics of Hong Kong (See also Elections in Hong Kong)
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is headed by its Chief Executive, the head of government. The current holder of this office is Tung Chee Hwa. Tung assumed office on July 1, 1997, following his election by a 400-member (provisional) electoral college appointed by the People's Republic of China. For the second five-year term of the Chief Executive which began in July 2002, Tung was the only candidate validly nominated and declared elected unopposed by the judicary. This made it unecessary to utilize the Election Committee to select the Chief Executive.
Legislative Council elections were held on May 24, 1998, September 10, 2000, and again on September 12, 2004, with the next scheduled for 2008. According to the Basic Law, Hong Kong's "Mini-constitution", the present third term of the Legislative Council has 30 seats directly elected from geographical constituencies, and 30 seats elected from functional constituencies. The 1998, 2000 and 2004 Legislative Council elections were seen as free, open, and widely contested, despite discontent among mainly 'pro-democracy' politicians, who contended that the functional constituency elections and the Election Committee elections (for 1998 and 2000) were undemocratic as they consider that the electorate for these seats is too narrow.
The civil service of Hong Kong maintains its quality and neutrality, operating without discernible direction from Beijing.
The Right of abode issue sparked debates in 1999, while the controversy over Hong Kong Basic Law Article 23 was the focus of politics in Hong Kong between 2002 and 2003 culminating in a peaceful mass demonstration in 2003 after which the government was forced to indefinitely shelve further consideration of amendments to Article 23. Afterwards, the focus of controversies shifted to the issue of universal suffrage towards the end of 2003 and in 2004, which was the slogan of another peaceful mass demonstration in 2004.
Subdivisions
Main article: Districts of Hong Kong
Hong Kong consists of 18 administrative districts:
- Central and Western
- Eastern
- Islands
- Kowloon City
- Kwai Tsing
- Kwun Tong
- North
- Sai Kung
- Sham Shui Po
- Sha Tin
- Southern
- Tai Po
- Tsuen Wan
- Tuen Mun
- Wan Chai
- Wong Tai Sin
- Yau Tsim Mong
- Yuen Long
Geography
Main article: Geography of Hong Kong
The name Hong Kong is derived from Hong Kong Island in the South China Sea, at the delta of the Zhu Jiang (or Pearl River) of southern China. Other territories that were later added include the Kowloon Peninsula and the New Territories, which include over 200 surrounding islands. The landscape is fairly hilly to mountainous with steep slopes, the highest point being the Tai Mo Shan at 958 m, though lowlands exist in the north.
Hong Kong was on the east of the Zhu Jiang Delta, while Macau (another Special Administrative Region of China) is on the west. Besides that, Hong Kong is bordering the city of Shenzhen in the north.
Of the total of 1102 km² of Hong Kong, only 25% are developed. The remaining 75% are set aside as country parks and nature reserves.
The local climate is that of a tropical monsoon clime. It is cool and dry in winter (Jan-Mar), hot and rainy from spring through summer (Apr-Sep), and warm, sunny and dry in the autumn (Oct-Dec). Hong Kong is visited by occasional typhoons.
See also: Ecology of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Country Parks & Special Areas
Economy
Main article: Economy of Hong Kong
Hong Kong has a bustling economy highly dependent on international trade. It is one of the world's freest economies, as well as the world's 10th largest trading entity and 11th largest banking center. Natural resources are limited, and food and raw materials must be imported. Indeed, imports and exports, including re-exports, each exceed GDP in dollar value. Hong Kong has extensive trade and investment ties with the People's Republic of China, even before its reunification with China on July 1 1997. The service industry represented 86.5% of the GDP in 2001, and the territory, with a highly sophisticated banking sector, has housed the Asian headquarters of many multinational corporations in recent decades.
At a level of US$ 28,800 (2003 estimate) Hong Kong's per capita GDP compares with the level in the four big economies of Western Europe. GDP growth averaged a strong 5% in 1989-1997. The widespread Asian economic difficulties in 1998 hit this trade-dependent economy quite hard, with GDP down 5%. The economy, with growth of 10% in 2000, recovered rapidly from the Asian financial crisis. The recent global downturn has badly hurt Hong Kong's exports and GDP growth was 2.3% in 2002.
In early 2003, the local economy was hit hard by the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). On June 29, 2003, the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) was signed. CEPA allows Hong Kong service providers in 18 areas to enter the mainland market at least one year ahead of their foreign competitors. The arrangement provides a platform for Hong Kong professionals to practice on the mainland and also allows Hong Kong permanent residents to set up individually owned retail stores in Guangdong Province.
On July 28, 2003, the Individual Visit Scheme was started to allow travellers from some cities in mainland China to visit Hong Kong on an individual basis. As a result, the tourism industry in Hong Kong is booming once again.
See also: Hang Seng Index, Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office
External link: Index of Economic Freedom - The Heritage Foundation
Demographics
Main article: Demographics of Hong Kong
Hong Kong is by population the fourth largest metropolitan area of the PRC (see List of cities in China). Considered as a "dependency", Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated countries/dependencies in the world, with an overall density of nearly 6,700 people per km².
Despite the population density, Hong Kong was reported to be one of the greenest cities in Asia. The majority of people live in flats in high-rise buildings. The rest of the open spaces are often covered with parks, woods and shrubs. About 60% of the land is designated as Country Parks and Nature Reserves. Hiking and camping are popular outdoor activities in Hong Kong's hilly country parks. The irregular and long coastline of Hong Kong also provides many bays and fine beaches for its inhabitants. Environmental concern and awareness is growing, however, as Hong Kong ranks as one of the most (air-)polluted cities in the world.
Cantonese, the Chinese language used in Hong Kong government matters, is spoken by most of the local Chinese population at home and in the office. But English is quite widely understood; it is spoken, mostly at work, by more than one-third of the population. Every major religion is freely practised in Hong Kong. Ancestor worship is predominant due to the strong Confucian influence, whereas Christianity is practised by a mere 10% of the population.
Culture
Main article: Culture of Hong Kong
- Cantonese cuisine
- Chinese mythology
- Hong Kong tea culture
- Media in Hong Kong
- Cinema of China
- Cantonese opera
- Cantopop
- Museums in Hong Kong
- Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra
- Hong Kong Jockey Club
- Hong Kong Disneyland
- Hong Kong Sevens
Miscellaneous topics
- Transportation in Hong Kong
- List of companies in Hong Kong
- Communications in Hong Kong
- Public holidays in Hong Kong
- Hong Kong Stock Exchange
- Beaches of Hong Kong
- Foreign relations of Hong Kong
- Military of Hong Kong
- Hong Kong in films
- Hong Kong honours system
- Hong Kong national football team
- Reporters without borders Worldwide press freedom index 2004: Ranks 34 out of 167 countries and regions
- List of buildings, sites and areas in Hong Kong
- List of Hong Kong-related topics
- Current events in Hong Kong and Macao
Major Landmarks
- Bank of China Tower
- International Finance Centre
- HSBC Hong Kong headquarters building
- The Center
- Central Plaza
- Hopewell Centre
- Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
- Tsing Ma Bridge
- Victoria Peak
- Tian Tan Buddha
Universities and other tertiary institutions
See also: Education in Hong Kong
There are eight universities and various other tertiary institutions in Hong Kong.
- The University of Hong Kong
- The Chinese University of Hong Kong
- The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
- Hong Kong Baptist University
- Lingnan University
- The Hong Kong Institute of Education
- City University of Hong Kong
- Open University of Hong Kong
- Chu Hai College [1]
- Shue Yan College [2]
- Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education [3]
External links
- Hong Kong SAR Government Information Centre - Official site of the Government of Hong Kong
- Hong Kong Yearbook 2003
- CountryGuide:: Hong Kong --editor-maintained directory focused on travel and vacation planning and research.
- Hong Kong travel guide at Wikitravel
- Hong Kong Maps CentaMap
