Hong Kong Facts

Hong Kong is China’s Special Administrative Region lying on the south coast of the country. It is very famous for its deep natural harbor and expansive skyline. Hong Kong is a major tourist spot in China. In 2011, it received a record-high of 42 million visitors coming from Mainland China and around the world. The improving travel sentiment is one of the reasons why tourism continues to flourish.

Population

With a population of over seven million and just 426 sq mi land mass, the Orient Pearl is considered a densely populated area. Its residents are 95% Chinese and the remaining 5% are composed of different nationalities. The majority of Chinese living in Hong Kong came from Taishan, Guangzhou, and Guangdong province.

History

Historians believe that the history of Hong Kong begun 39,000 years ago as studies confirm a support of human presence in the Chek Lap Kok area during this time. It is believed that the early habitants in the city occupied Three Fathoms Cove and Wong Tei Tyung first. During that time, it appeared that Wong Tei Tung was a lithic manufacturing site while Three Fathom Cover was a river valley settlement.

The Hong Kong that we are familiar with today was born after the First Opium War when China’s Qing dynasty government was defeated. China ceded the island to Britain. 235 Outlying Islands, the New Territories, and even Kowloon were leased to the European country.  

Hong Kong served as a center of international trade while under the British government. At the start of the 20th century, the population suddenly ballooned as refugees from China came. The growing population paved the way for the launching of Hong Kong’s manufacturing hubs.

In 1997, it became People’s Republic of China’s Special Administrative Region. With this, Hong Kong was allowed high degrees of autonomy, independent judiciary, freedom of speech, and free trade.

The history of Hong Kong proves that there is only one permanent thing in this place and that would be change. However, despite all its developments, Hong Kong’s spirit remained the same. The dynamism and energy has turned the once sleepy fishing village into a crossroad of international trade.

Economy

The Wall Street Journal and Heritage foundation dubbed Hong Kong as the world’s freest economy for 19 consecutive years. Hong Kong’s service-oriented economy is characterized by well-established international financial market, low taxes, and near-free port trade.

Hong Kong’s highly competitive regulatory regime, matched by transparent and efficient legal framework has helped sustain the engagement in investment and global trade. However, the real secret behind Hong Kong’s economy is the highly skilled and motivated workforce and its little tolerance for corruption.

Today, Hong Kong continues to show the world a high degree of economic resilience and managed to remain one of the most competitive business and financial centers not just in Asia but also around the globe.

Hong Kong’s overall entrepreneurial environment is one of the most transparent and efficient. The process to start a business is very straightforward. Overall, monetary stability is well maintained although inflationary pressure continues.

Education

As a former British colony, the type of education in Hong Kong is very similar to that of the United Kingdom specifically the English system. However, this changed in 1997 after Hong Kong was handed back to China. The changes applied to the education system reflected different language of instruction policies. In addition, changes to the senior secondary curriculum were also applied. Today, academic situation in Hong Kong is more in line with those found in China.

Hong Kong government recently made changes to make it easier for the majority of students to receive at least 12 years of education. The government removed some of the fees and a series of public exams in senior secondary school to make this happen.

There are three main types of school in Hong Kong: government schools, private school, and subsidized schools. Aside from these, there are also private independent schools that follow international curricula that appeal to some local parents and expats. Many of these schools charge higher fees.

Culture

The culture in Hong Kong can be best described as a sophisticated fusion of East and West. Although it kept many Chinese traditions, it also welcomed and practices western culture mainly brought by Britain. This led to a diverse culture. The people there are very open-minded when it comes to changes.

Cantonese is the most used language in Hong Kong. Chinese and English are also regarded as official languages.