2007 Edition

Administrative divisions

none (special administrative region of China)

Age structure

0-14 years: 13.5% (male 488,607/female 445,593) 15-64 years: 73.7% (male 2,495,679/female 2,620,336) 65 years and over: 12.8% (male 413,031/female 477,186) (2006 est.)

Agriculture - products

fresh vegetables; poultry, pork; fish

Airports

3 (2006)

Airports - with paved runways

over 3,047 m

1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

total

3

under 914 m

1 (2006)

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

7.29 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Budget

expenditures

$33.02 billion; including capital expenditures of $5.9 billion (2006 est.)

revenues

$35.16 billion

Climate

subtropical 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 (code)

Hong Kong dollar (HKD)

Currency code

HKD

Current account balance

$20.9 billion (2006 est.)

Death rate

6.29 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Debt - external

$472.9 billion (30 June 2006 est.)

Dependency status

special administrative region of China

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Consul General James B. CUNNINGHAM

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

Distribution of family income - Gini index

52.25 (2001)

Economy - overview

Hong Kong has a free market economy highly dependent on international trade. The territory has become more closely linked to mainland China over the past few years. Even before Hong Kong reverted to Chinese administration on 1 July 1997, it had extensive trade and investment ties with China. Hong Kong's service industry over the past decade has grown rapidly as its manufacturing industry has moved to the mainland. Hong Kong also has stepped up its efforts to gain approval to offer more mainland financial services in a bid to remain competitive with China's growing financial centers. Hong Kong's natural resources are limited, and food and raw materials must be imported. Gross imports and exports (i.e., including reexports to and from third countries) each exceed GDP in dollar value. Per capita GDP exceeds that of the four big economies of Western Europe. GDP growth averaged a strong 5% from 1989 to 2006, but Hong Kong suffered two recessions in the past eight years because of the Asian financial crisis in 1997-1998 and the global downturn in 2001-2002. Although the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak in 2003 also battered Hong Kong's economy, a solid rise in exports, a boom in tourism from the mainland because of China's easing of travel restrictions, and a return of consumer confidence resulted in the resumption of strong growth from late 2003 through 2006. Moreover, several large initial public offerings of Chinese companies on the Hong Kong stock exchange since late 2005 have helped to boost Hong Kong's status as a financial hub and have contributed to the improved performance of the market in late 2006.

Electricity - consumption

44.55 billion kWh (2005)

Electricity - exports

4.497 billion kWh (2005)

Electricity - imports

10.39 billion kWh (2005)

Electricity - production

38.45 billion kWh (2005)

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)

Ethnic groups

Chinese 95%, other 5%

Exchange rates

Hong Kong dollars per US dollar - 7.77367 (2006), 7.7773 (2005), 7.788 (2004), 7.7868 (2003), 7.7989 (2002)

Executive branch

cabinet

Executive Council consists of 14 official members and 15 non-official members

chief of state

President of China HU Jintao (since 15 March 2003)

elections

previous chief executive TUNG Chee-hwa was elected to second five-year term in March 2002 by 800-member election committee dominated by pro-Beijing forces, resignation accepted 12 March 2005; Donald TSANG acted as chief executive between 12 March 2005 and 25 May 2005; Henry TANG acted as chief executive between 25 May 2005 and 24 June 2005; TSANG was elected on 16 June 2005 to fill final two years of TUNG's term (next election to be held in March 2007)

head of government

Chief Executive Donald TSANG (since 24 June 2005)

Exports

$611.6 billion f.o.b., including reexports (2006 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

China 45%, US 16.1%, Japan 5.3% (2005)

FAX

[852] 2845-1598

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 - composition by sector

agriculture

0.1%

industry

9%

services

90.9% (2006 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$36,500 (2006 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

5.9% (2006 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$187.1 billion (2006 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$253.1 billion (2006 est.)

Geographic coordinates

22 15 N, 114 10 E

Geography - note

more than 200 islands People Hong Kong

Government type

limited democracy

Heliports

3 (2006)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.1% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

less than 200 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

2,600 (2003 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Illicit drugs

makes strenuous law enforcement efforts, but faces difficult challenges in controlling transit of heroin and methamphetamine to regional and world markets; modern banking system provides conduit for money laundering; rising indigenous use of synthetic drugs, especially among young people This page was last updated on 8 February, 2007

Imports

$329.8 billion (2006 est.)

Imports - commodities

raw materials and semi-manufactures, consumer goods, capital goods, foodstuffs, fuel (most is re-exported)

Imports - partners

China 45%, Japan 11%, Taiwan 7.2%, Singapore 5.8%, US 5.1%, South Korea 4.4% (2005)

Independence

none (special administrative region of China)

Industrial production growth rate

4% (2006 est.)

Industries

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

Infant mortality rate

female

2.75 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)

male

3.13 deaths/1,000 live births

total

2.95 deaths/1,000 live births

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.2% (2006 est.)

International organization participation

APEC, AsDB, BIS, ICC, IHO, IMF, IMO (associate), IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITUC, UNWTO (associate), UPU, WCL, WCO, WMO, WTO

Internet country code

.hk

Internet hosts

800,834 (2006)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

17 (2000)

Internet users

4,878,713 (2005) Transportation Hong Kong

Investment (gross fixed)

21.1% of GDP (2006 est.)

Irrigated land

20 sq km (1998 est.)

Judicial branch

Court of Final Appeal in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

Labor force

3.63 million (2006 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

manufacturing 7.5%, construction 7.5%, wholesale and retail trade, restaurants, and hotels 43.9%, financing, insurance, and real estate 2.9%, transport and communications 7.1%, community and social services 43.9%

note

above data exclude public sector (2005 est.)

Land boundaries

regional border

China 30 km

total

30 km

Land use

arable land

5.05%

other

93.94% (2001)

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; in 2004 30 seats indirectly elected by functional constituencies, 30 elected by popular vote; members serve four-year terms)

election results

percent of vote by party - pro-democracy group 62%; seats by party - (pro-Beijing 34) DAB 12, Liberal Party 10, independents 11, FTU 1; (pro-democracy 25) independents 11, Democratic Party 9, CTU 2, ADPL 1, Frontier Party 1, NWSC 1; non-voting LEGCO president 1

elections

last held 12 September 2004 (next to be held in September 2008)

Life expectancy at birth

female

84.5 years (2006 est.)

male

78.9 years

total population

81.59 years

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over has ever attended school

female

89.6% (2002) Government Hong Kong

male

96.9%

total population

93.5%

Location

Eastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and China

Manpower available for military service

females age 18-49

1,904,967 (2005 est.)

males age 18-49

1,743,972

Manpower fit for military service

females age 18-49

1,527,278 (2005 est.)

males age 18-49

1,403,088

Manpower reaching military service age annually

females age 18-49

38,234 (2005 est.)

males age 18-49

40,343

Map references

Southeast Asia

Maritime claims

territorial sea

3 nm

Median age

female

40.9 years (2006 est.)

male

40.4 years

total

40.7 years

Merchant marine

by type

barge carrier 2, bulk carrier 495, cargo 121, chemical tanker 44, container 133, liquefied gas 22, passenger 6, passenger/cargo 7, petroleum tanker 76, roll on/roll off 3, specialized tanker 7, vehicle carrier 8

foreign-owned

562 (Australia 1, Belgium 3, Canada 28, China 274, Denmark 6, Germany 6, Greece 27, Indonesia 4, Japan 67, South Korea 6, Norway 26, Philippines 16, Portugal 1, Singapore 24, Syria 1, Taiwan 6, UAE 2, UK 43, US 21)

registered in other countries

417 (Bahamas 8, Belize 8, Bermuda 10, Cambodia 15, China 7, Cyprus 1, France 1, French Southern and Antarctic Lands 2, Greece 1, Honduras 2, India 1, Liberia 37, Malaysia 14, Malta 2, Marshall Islands 7, Norway 55, Panama 169, Philippines 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 6, Singapore 50, Taiwan 3, Tuvalu 8, unknown 7) (2006)

total

924 ships (1000 GRT or over) 30,838,025 GRT/51,957,682 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) includes 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 - dollar figure

Hong Kong garrison is funded by China; figures are NA

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

NA

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age (2004)

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/Hong Kong

noun

Chinese/Hong Konger

Natural gas - consumption

2.2 billion cu m (2005 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - imports

2.524 billion cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2005 est.)

Natural hazards

occasional typhoons

Natural resources

outstanding deepwater harbor, feldspar

Net migration rate

4.89 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Oil - consumption

285,000 bbl/day (2005 est.)

Oil - exports

0 bbl/day

Oil - imports

25,000 bbl/day

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2005 est.)

Political parties and leaders

Association for Democracy and People's Livelihood or ADPL [Frederick FUNG Kin-kee]; Citizens Party [Alex CHAN Kai-chung]; Civic Party [KUAN Hsin-chi]; Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong or DAB [MA Lik]; Democratic Party [Albert HO]; Frontier Party [Emily LAU Wai-hing]; Liberal Party [James TIEN Pei-chun]

note

political blocs include: pro-democracy - ADPL, Democratic Party, Frontier Party; pro-Beijing - DAB, Liberal Party

Political pressure groups and leaders

Chinese General Chamber of Commerce (pro-China); Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong; Confederation of Trade Unions or CTU (pro-democracy) [LAU Chin-shek, president; LEE Cheuk-yan, general secretary]; Federation of Hong Kong Industries; Federation of Trade Unions or FTU (pro-China) [CHENG Yiu-tong, executive councilor]; 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]; Neighborhood and Workers' Service Center or NWSC (pro-democracy); The Alliance [Bernard CHAN, exco member]

Population

6,940,432 (July 2006 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Population growth rate

0.59% (2006 est.)

Ports and terminals

Hong Kong Military Hong Kong

Public debt

1% of GDP (2006 est.)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 5, FM 9, shortwave 0 (2004)

Radios

4.45 million (1997)

Religions

eclectic mixture of local religions 90%, Christian 10%

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$132 billion (November 2006 est.)

Roadways

paved

1,955 km (2005)

total

1,955 km

Sex ratio

at birth

1.08 male(s)/female

total population

0.96 male(s)/female (2006 est.)

under 15 years

1.1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.87 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 200,000 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

country code - 852; 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

3,794,600 (2005)

Telephones - mobile cellular

8.693 million (2005)

Television broadcast stations

55 low power stations

note

two TV networks, each one broadcasting on two channels (2006)

Televisions

1.84 million (1997)

Terrain

hilly to mountainous with steep slopes; lowlands in north

Total fertility rate

0.95 children born/woman (2006 est.)

Unemployment rate

4.9% (2006 est.)