2003 Edition

Administrative divisions

none (special administrative region of China)

Age structure

0-14 years: 17.3% (male 680,973; female 599,309) 15-64 years: 71.7% (male 2,619,929; female 2,679,430) 65 years and over: 11% (male 375,058; female 439,471) (2003 est.)

Agriculture - products

fresh vegetables; poultry, fish, pork

Airports

3 (2002)

Airports - with paved runways

over 3,047 m

1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1523 m: 1 (2002)

total

3

Area

land

1,042 sq km

total

1,092 sq km

water

50 sq km

Area - comparative

six times the size of Washington, DC

Background

Occupied by the UK in 1841, Hong Kong was formally ceded by China the following year; various adjacent lands were added later in the 19th century. Pursuant to an agreement signed by China and the UK on 19 December 1984, Hong Kong became the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China on 1 July 1997. In this agreement, China has promised that, under its "one country, two systems" formula, China's socialist economic system will not be imposed on Hong Kong and that Hong Kong will enjoy a high degree of autonomy in all matters except foreign and defense affairs for the next 50 years. Geography Hong Kong

Birth rate

10.71 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Budget

expenditures

$30.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY02/03)

revenues

$22.8 billion

Climate

tropical monsoon; cool and humid in winter, hot and rainy from spring through summer, warm and sunny in fall

Coastline

733 km

Constitution

Basic Law approved in March 1990 by China's National People's Congress is Hong Kong's "mini-constitution"

Country name

abbreviation

HK

conventional long form

Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

conventional short form

Hong Kong

local long form

Xianggang Tebie Xingzhengqu

local short form

Xianggang

Currency

Hong Kong dollar (HKD)

Currency code

HKD

Death rate

6.19 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Debt - external

$49.5 billion (2002 est.)

Dependency status

special administrative region of China

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Consul General James KEITH

consulate(s) general

26 Garden Road, Hong Kong

mailing address

PSC 461, Box 1, FPO AP 96521-0006

telephone

[852] 2523-9011

Diplomatic representation in the US

none (special administrative region of China)

Disputes - international

none

Economy - overview

Hong Kong has a free market economy highly dependent on international trade. Natural resources are limited, and food and raw materials must be imported. Imports and exports, including reexports, each exceed GDP in dollar value. Even before Hong Kong reverted to Chinese administration on 1 July 1997 it had extensive trade and investment ties with China. Hong Kong has been further integrating its economy with China because China's growing openness to the world economy has increased competitive pressure on Hong Kong's service industries, and Hong Kong's re-export business from China is a major driver of growth. Per capita GDP compares with the level in the four big economies of Western Europe. GDP growth averaged a strong 5% in 1989-1997, but Hong Kong suffered two recessions in the past 6 years because of the Asian financial crisis in 1998 and the global downturn of 2001-2002. The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak has also battered Hong Kong's economy but the resumption of strong growth began in 2003.

Electricity - consumption

37.12 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - exports

1.581 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - imports

10.36 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - production

30.48 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel

100%

hydro

0%

nuclear

0%

other

0% (2001)

Elevation extremes

highest point

Tai Mo Shan 958 m

lowest point

South China Sea 0 m

Environment - current issues

air and water pollution from rapid urbanization

Environment - international agreements

party to

Marine Dumping (associate member), Ship Pollution (associate member)

Ethnic groups

Chinese 95%, other 5%

Exchange rates

Hong Kong dollars per US dollar - 7.8 (2002), 7.8 (2001), 7.79 (2000), 7.76 (1999), 7.75 (1998)

Executive branch

cabinet

Executive Council consists of three ex-officio members and 10 appointed members; ex-officio members are: Chief Secretary Donald TSANG Yam-kuen (since 1 May 2001), Financial Secretary Antony LEUNG (since 1 May 2001), and Secretary of Justice Elsie LEUNG (since 1 July 1997)

chief of state

President of China HU Jintao (since 15 March 2003)

elections

TUNG Chee-Hwa was elected to a second term in March 2002 by an 800-member election committee dominated by pro-Beijing forces; the next election is scheduled to be held in 2007

head of government

Chief Executive TUNG Chee-hwa (since 1 July 1997)

Exports

$200.3 billion f.o.b., including reexports (2002 est.)

Exports - commodities

electrical machinery and appliances, textiles, apparel, footwear, watches and clocks, toys, plastics, precious stones

Exports - partners

China 34%, US 19.5%, UK 5.5%, Japan 4.8% (2002)

FAX

[852] 2524-0860

Fiscal year

1 April - 31 March Communications Hong Kong

Flag description

red with a stylized, white, five-petal bauhinia flower in the center Economy Hong Kong

GDP

purchasing power parity - $198.5 billion (2002 est.)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture

0.1%

industry

13.4%

services

86.5% (2001 est.)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $27,200 (2002 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

2.3% (2002 est.)

Geographic coordinates

22 15 N, 114 10 E

Geography - note

more than 200 islands People Hong Kong

Government type

limited democracy

Heliports

2 (2002) Military Hong Kong

Highways

paved

1,831 km

total

1,831 km

unpaved

0 km (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.1% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

less than 100 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

2,600 (2001 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Illicit drugs

Makes strenuous law enforcement efforts, but faces serious challenges in controlling transit of heroin and methamphetamine to regional and world markets; modern banking system provides a conduit for money laundering; rising indigenous use of synthetic drugs, especially among young people This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003

Imports

$208.1 billion (2002 est.)

Imports - commodities

foodstuffs, transport equipment, raw materials, semimanufactures, petroleum, plastics, machinery, electrical equipment; a large share is reexported

Imports - partners

China 37.5%, Japan 12.2%, Taiwan 7.3%, US 6.2%, Singapore 5.3%, South Korea 5% (2002)

Independence

none (special administrative region of China)

Industrial production growth rate

-9.7% (2002 est.)

Industries

textiles, clothing, tourism, banking, shipping, electronics, plastics, toys, watches, clocks

Infant mortality rate

female

5.84 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)

male

5.44 deaths/1,000 live births

total

5.63 deaths/1,000 live births

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

3% (2002 est.)

International organization participation

APEC, AsDB, BIS, ESCAP (associate), ICC, ICFTU, IHO, IMO (associate), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, ISO (correspondent), WCL, WCO, WMO, WToO (associate), WTrO

Internet country code

.hk

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

17 (2000)

Internet users

4.35 million (2002) Transportation Hong Kong

Irrigated land

20 sq km (1998 est.)

Judicial branch

Court of Final Appeal in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

Labor force

3.52 million (2001 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

wholesale and retail trade, restaurants, and hotels 31%, financing, insurance, and real estate 13%, community and social services 12%, manufacturing 6%, transport and communications 6%, construction 5%, other 25% (2002 est.)

Land boundaries

border countries

China 30 km

total

30 km

Land use

arable land

5.05%

other

93.94% (1998 est.)

permanent crops

1.01%

Languages

Chinese (Cantonese), English; both are official

Legal system

based on English common law

Legislative branch

unicameral Legislative Council or LEGCO (60 seats; 30 indirectly elected by functional constituencies, 24 elected by popular vote, and 6 elected by an 800-member election committee; members serve four-year terms)

election results

percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Democratic Party 12, Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong 10, Liberal Party 7, Frontier Party 5, Hong Kong Progressive Alliance 4, New Century Forum 2, Hong Kong Association for Democracy and People's Livelihood 1, independents 19

elections

last held 10 September 2000 (next to be held in September 2004)

Life expectancy at birth

female

82.83 years (2003 est.)

male

77.23 years

total population

79.93 years

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over has ever attended school

female

90.5% (2003 est.) Government Hong Kong

male

97.1%

total population

94%

Location

Eastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and China

Map references

Southeast Asia

Maritime claims

territorial sea

3 NM

Median age

female

37.7 years (2002)

male

37.1 years

total

37.5 years

Merchant marine

as a flag of convenience

Belgium 5, Belize 1, British Virgin Islands 1, China 115, Denmark 2, Germany 19, Greece 2, India 8, Japan 8, Liberia 1, Malaysia 7, Norway 1, Panama 2, Philippines 5, Singapore 7, South Korea 2, Taiwan 1, UK 27, Virgin Islands (UK) 1

note

(2002 est.)

ships by type

barge carrier 1, bulk 315, cargo 66, chemical tanker 15, combination bulk 2, container 86, liquefied gas 16, multi-functional large-load carrier 1, petroleum tanker 40, refrigerated cargo 2, roll on/roll off 2, short-sea passenger 1, vehicle carrier 2, includes some foreign-owned ships registered here

total

549 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 16,176,728 GRT/27,119,764 DWT

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of China Transnational Issues Hong Kong

Military branches

no regular indigenous military forces; Hong Kong garrison of China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) including elements of the PLA Ground Forces, PLA Navy, and PLA Air Force; these forces are under the direct leadership of the Central Military Commission in Beijing and under administrative control of the adjacent Guangzhou Military Region

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

NA% (FY02)

Military manpower - availability

males age 15-49

2,033,716 (2003 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service

males age 15-49

1,524,903 (2003 est.)

Military manpower - military age

18 years of age (2003 est.)

Military manpower - reaching military age annually

males

47,477 (2003 est.)

National holiday

National Day (Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China), 1 October (1949); note - 1 July 1997 is celebrated as Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Establishment Day

Nationality

adjective

Chinese

noun

Chinese

Natural gas - consumption

680.9 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports

680.9 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural hazards

occasional typhoons

Natural resources

outstanding deepwater harbor, feldspar

Net migration rate

7.64 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Oil - consumption

257,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports

NA (2001)

Oil - imports

NA (2001)

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Political parties and leaders

Association for Democracy and People's Livelihood [Frederick FUNG Kin-kee, chairman]; Citizens Party [Alex CHAN Kai-chung]; Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong [Jasper TSANG Yok-sing, chairman]; Democratic Party [Martin LEE Chu-ming, chairman]; Frontier Party [Emily LAU Wai-hing, chairwoman]; Hong Kong Association for Democracy and People's Livelihood [leader NA]; Hong Kong Progressive Alliance [Ambrose LAU Hon-chuen]; Liberal Party [James TIEN Pei-chun, chairman]; New Century Forum [NQ Ching-fai, chairman]

note

political blocs include: pro-democracy - Association for Democracy and People's Livelihood, Citizens Party, Democratic Party, Frontier Party; pro-Beijing - Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Progressive Alliance, Liberal Party, New Century Forum

Political pressure groups and leaders

Chinese General Chamber of Commerce (pro-China); Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong; Confederation of Trade Unions (pro-democracy) [LAU Chin-shek, president; LEE Cheuk-yan, general secretary]; Federation of Hong Kong Industries; Federation of Trade Unions (pro-China) [LEE Chark-tim, president]; Hong Kong Alliance in Support of the Patriotic Democratic Movement in China [Szeto WAH, chairman]; Hong Kong and Kowloon Trade Union Council (pro-Taiwan); Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce; Hong Kong Professional Teachers' Union [CHEUNG Man-kwong, president]; Liberal Democratic Federation [HU Fa-kuang, chairman]

Population

7,394,170 (July 2003 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Population growth rate

1.22% (2003 est.)

Ports and harbors

Hong Kong

Radio broadcast stations

AM 7, FM 13, shortwave 0 (1998)

Radios

4.45 million (1997)

Railways

note

connects to China railway system at Hong Kong-China border (2001)

standard gauge

34 km 1.435-m gauge (electrified and double-tracked)

total

34 km

Religions

eclectic mixture of local religions 90%, Christian 10%

Sex ratio

at birth

1.07 male(s)/female

total population

0.99 male(s)/female (2003 est.)

under 15 years

1.14 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female

Suffrage

direct election 18 years of age; universal for permanent residents living in the territory of Hong Kong for the past seven years; indirect election limited to about 100,000 members of functional constituencies and an 800-member election committee drawn from broad regional groupings, municipal organizations, and central government bodies

Telephone system

domestic

microwave radio relay links and extensive fiber-optic network

general assessment

modern facilities provide excellent domestic and international services

international

satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Pacific Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean); coaxial cable to Guangzhou, China; access to 5 international submarine cables providing connections to ASEAN member nations, Japan, Taiwan, Australia, Middle East, and Western Europe

Telephones - main lines in use

3.839 million (1999)

Telephones - mobile cellular

3.7 million (December 1999)

Television broadcast stations

4 (plus two repeaters) (1997)

Televisions

1.84 million (1997)

Terrain

hilly to mountainous with steep slopes; lowlands in north

Total fertility rate

1.32 children born/woman (2003 est.)

Unemployment rate

7.5% (2002 est.)

Waterways

none