2018 Hong Kong is a fascinating fusion of the ancient and consistently acclaimed as the world’s freest economy. The modern, East and West, open to what the world has to o er city’s local transport and telecommunications infrastructure – food and fashion, arts and culture, science and are among the world’s best. technology. Hong Kong is a diverse place featuring soaring Anchored on the bedrock of the rule of law, Hong Kong is a skyscrapers, eclectic backstreets, magnicent country fair and stable society that cherishes freedom of parks, interesting islands and even a world heritage expression. English is the language of business and the law. geopark. Creativity, innovation, arts and culture thrive in this With a rich calendar of excellent cultural, dynamic city, whose can-do spirit and quest for sporting and leisure events, enchanting local excellence are evident everywhere. Businesses, talent, festivals and an international food scene, food and festivals from around the world enhance people are spoilt for choice. the cosmopolitan air. This little book o ers a glimpse of Well-connected to the rest of the world, just some of the great things the city is a maritime, aviation, you will nd in Hong logistics, cultural, tourism Kong – Asia’s world and business hub, city. Contents

COSMOPOLITAN 4 - 13

East Meets West | Culture & Arts | Sports | Education & Research

DYNAMIC 14 - 23

Economy, Trade Fairs & Conventions | Sporting Achievements Films, Animation & Creative Industries | Innovation

SECURE 24 - 29

Governance & Law | Health & Welfare

DIVERSE 30 - 38

Multicultural Society | Urban Architecture & Heritage Cityscape & Nature

CONNECTED 39 - 46

Air, Sea & Land Traffic | Infrastructure & Transport Gateway to China | Telecommunications

FACTS & FIGURES 47

Made in Hong Kong. Then and Now. MAPS 48 - 51 From robots to robotics, Hong Kong delivers the professional services to bring products to market. CONTACT US 52 - 53 Watch Our Video More OURHONGKONG stories on YouTube at www.brandhk.gov.hk Cosmopolitan Cosmopolitan social scene Hong Kong has many clubs, chambers of commerce, business and other associations, special interest groups and networking clubs, making it easy for expatriates to build business and social networks. International media hub Hong Kong strongly upholds the freedom of the press. Nearly 90 international media organisations have o ces in Hong Kong, which serves as the regional base for The New York Times International Edition, Financial Times, The Wall Street Journal, CNN International and Agence France-Presse. Major international media with signicant operations in Hong Kong include Bloomberg, CNBC, Dow Jones and Thomson Reuters. Hong Kong is a regional broadcasting hub From festivals and food to architecture and entertainment, with 14 licensees up-linking over 180 satellite television channels Hong Kong is a fascinating blend of East and West. Some 7.39 for the regional market. Hong Kong does not censor local or million people have made a home in this bright and beautiful foreign media, including internet and satellite TV content beamed place where tradition, modernity and the futuristic blend in to Hong Kong. surprising ways. Trendy town Global village There are plenty of places to chill out in About 8 per cent of the Hong Kong resident population are vibrant bar districts such as Lan Kwai Fong, non-Chinese. There are 128 foreign diplomatic representations in SoHo, Star Street Precinct and Kennedy Hong Kong. Town and, of course, Hong Kong’s many hotels. Chinese and English are o cial languages. English is widely used Wine and dine in the Government and by the With every kind of culinary oering from legal, professional and business around the world, Hong Kong is a reputed sectors. Almost all information food lover’s paradise. The Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival oers in signs, announcements and gourmets a fabulous feast. More than 1,000 exhibitors from around government and business the world make use of the sparkling opportunities oered by the websites is also provided in Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair, the region’s largest English. such event. Hong Kong, which levies no wine duty, is one of the world’s leading wine auction centres. 4 5 Celebrations A vibrant melting pot of cultures, Hong Kong boasts many Hong Kong celebrates Western and museums, concert halls and performance venues, and a vast array Eastern festivals with equal of cultural events from around the world. Hong Kong is the world’s enthusiasm. Christmas, Chinese New third-largest art market by auction sales, after New York and Year and the Mid-Autumn Festival London. are especially good times to see Asia’s glittering city in full splendour. Cultural hub Also popular are Western festivities Stretching across 40 hectares of harbourfront such as Halloween, Valentine’s Day land, the West Kowloon Cultural District is one of and Oktoberfest. Traditional festivals the largest cultural projects in the world. With a such as the Cheung Chau Jiao variety of performance spaces and museums, Festival (Bun Festival), Tai O Dragon the cultural quarter will produce and host Boat Water Parade, Tai Hang Fire world-class exhibitions, performances, and arts Dragon Dance and Yu Lan Ghost and cultural events. The rst performing arts Festival have been inscribed on the venue, Xiqu Centre, dedicated to the promotion National List of Intangible Cultural of Cantonese opera and other forms of Chinese Heritage. traditional theatre, will open in late 2018. The Art Park will open in stages from 2018, while Sensational shopping Freespace, situated at the centre of the Art Park, including a black box theatre and an outdoor stage, will open in At the crossroads of world trade for over 170 years, Hong Kong is a 2019. The building works of M+, a new museum of visual culture, great global emporium, with high-end malls selling the latest continues to move full steam ahead. The foundation works for the international brands to bustling night markets where you can nd Lyric Theatre Complex has substantially been completed. The delightful bargains. There are also Sneaker Street, Ladies Market, scheme design of the Hong Kong Palace Museum was also Goldsh Market and Flower Market, to name a few obeat completed and the foundation works will start soon. attractions. CNN ranked Hong Kong among the world’s best shopping cities. Arts festivals Throughout the year, a variety of Passion for fashion arts festivals manifest the diversity The world’s leading fashion brands do and vibrancy of Hong Kong’s business in Hong Kong. The city’s design cultural life. In 2018, the Hong Kong schools turn out plenty of talent. Hong Arts Festival featured over 1,700 top Kong fashion designers have won world international and local artists in 130 acclaim. The annual Hong Kong Fashion performances, encompassing opera, Week, one of the largest fashion events in music, theatre and dance. Other Asia, features talented designers from prominent events include the around the world. Chinese Opera Festival, International Arts Carnival, Le French May and, in alternate years, the New Vision Arts Festival and World 6 Cultures Festival. 7 Art marts The cosmopolitan city hosts a variety of international sporting The city hosts top-tier galleries and events throughout the year, from marathons and equestrian events auction houses such as the Gagosian, to rugby and regattas. International athletes compete in Hong White Cube, Christie’s and Sotheby’s. In Kong in a variety of sports, making the city the premier sports 2018, Art Basel Hong Kong attracted 248 venue in Asia. leading galleries from 32 countries and Sports spectacular territories across the world. The event helps Hong Kong to cement its place Hong Kong stages a number as the epicentre of Asia’s international of major annual sports or “M” art scene. More than 100 contemporary Mark events, such as the galleries from around the world Longines Masters of Hong showcased cutting-edge works Kong, CCB (Asia) Hong Kong by exciting new talent at Art International Dragon Boat Central. The Asia Contemporary Races, Prudential Hong Kong Art Show brings about 100 Tennis Open and UBS Hong galleries from Asia and Kong Open (golf). around the world twice a year. HK Marathon More than 70,000 runners took part in the 2018 Standard Chartered Fine museums Hong Kong Marathon, an IAAF Road Race Gold Label event. Hong Kong’s museums oer a variety of exhibitions from near and far, past and present. Major museums include the Hong Kong Museum of Art, Museum of History, Heritage Museum, Science Museum, Space Museum, Museum of Coastal Defence, Maritime Museum and Dr Sun Yat-sen Museum.

8 9 Magnificent 7s Formula E Every year, thousands of Sleek electric cars raced on a Central Harbourfront track in the 2017 rugby fans from around the FIA Formula E Hong Kong E-Prix. The international E-racing season world descend on Hong opening event was a double-header, featuring 10 international Kong to experience the teams. excitement of the world's premier international rugby sevens tournament. In 2018, 28 teams battled for the coveted Hong Kong Sevens championships at the Hong Kong Stadium, in front of 120,000 spectators over the three days. Horse racing Horse races at Happy Valley and Sha Tin on Wednesday nights and weekends draw tens of thousands of fans during racing season. World Sixes Squads from six test cricket playing nations, England’s venerable MCC and the home team competed in cricket’s fastest format tournament when the Hong Kong World Sixes returned to the Volvo Ocean Race Kowloon Cricket Club in 2017. Hong Kong was a host city for the rst time in 2018 of this prestigious and grueling around- the-world race featuring identical 65-foot yachts battling it out on a 45,000 nautical mile course over an eight month period. The Hong Kong entry SHK/Scallywag, with Hong Kong’s branding as Asia’s world city displayed on the 65-foot ocean-going yacht, won the 5,600-nautical mile leg from Melbourne to Hong Kong in mid- 10 January. 11 Hong Kong’s education institutions, which enjoy excellent global International schools rankings, are home to scholars and faculty from around the world. Hong Kong has 53 international schools – Top-notch universities more than any other Asian Of Hong Kong’s 20 city. They oer about degree-awarding institu- 43,600 primary and tions, ve are among the secondary school places world’s top 200 universities, and overseas curricula according to the Times including the UK, US, Higher Education World Canadian, Australian, University Rankings 2018: French, German, the University of Hong Japanese, South Korean, Kong (HKU) (40), Hong Singaporean and the Kong University of Science International and Technology (HKUST) Baccalaureate. (44), Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) (58), Premier international institutes City University of Hong The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) chose Hong Kong Kong (CityU) (119) and Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) for its rst overseas Innovation Node. Sweden's Karolinska (182). Hong Kong has the greatest number of universities in Asia Institutet, a leading medical university, opened its rst overseas claiming top 200 spots in this leading global survey. Four were reparative medicine centre at Hong Kong Science Park. The also among the top 50 in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University of Chicago Booth School of Business oers its agship University Rankings 2018: HKU (26), HKUST (30), CUHK (46) and Executive MBA programme, CityU (49). The QS World University Rankings by Subject 2017 ranked among others, at its Hong the HKU Faculty of Dentistry as the world’s best. Kong centre. Cornell University’s College of World-class MBA and EMBA Veterinary Medicine set up Hong Kong’s rst School Hong Kong oers some of the world’s best business administration of Veterinary Medicine, in and executive business management programmes. The Kellogg- collaboration with CityU. HKUST EMBA programme, jointly oered by HKUST and The Savannah College of Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, was Art and Design, a leading ranked the best in the world in the Financial Times Executive MBA US design school, oers a Ranking 2017. The EMBA Global Asia oered by HKU in association full range of courses at its with London Business School and Columbia Business School Hong Kong branch. ranked second.

12 13 Dynamic Competitive The World Competitiveness Yearbook 2017 published by the Switzerland-based International Institute for Management Development, ranked Hong Kong the world's most competitive economy, for the second consecutive year. The World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report 2017-18 placed Hong Kong sixth globally and second in the Asia-Pacic. Business friendly Hong Kong ranked the fth easiest place in the world and third easiest in Asia to do business, according to the World Bank’s Doing Hong Kong is a dynamic business, nance, trading, shipping and Business 2018 report, which surveyed 190 economies. The city was events hub. It is also a leading design and innovation centre, and voted the “Best Business City in Asia” at the 2017 Business Traveller home to a ourishing fashion and lm industry. Hong Kong’s Asia-Pacic Travel Awards. Forbes “Best Countries for Business 2018” world-class athletes personify the city’s dynamism. survey ranked Hong Kong the sixth globally, and rst among Asian economies, out of 153 places. World’s freest economy Business hub The US’ Heritage Foundation Hong Kong is Asia’s leading has ranked Hong Kong the business hub. The total world’s freest economy for 24 number of companies with consecutive years. Hong Kong parent companies overseas also retained its ranking as and in the Mainland of the world’s freest economy China reached 8,225 in among 159 economies across 2017, compared to 7,986 the globe in Canada’s Fraser the previous year. Of these, Institute’s Economic Freedom 3,752 served as regional of the World: 2017 Annual headquarters or regional Report. o ces. Japan topped the list, followed by the US, Mainland of China, the UK and Singapore. 14 15 Start-up hub Asian Financial Forum The Hong Kong startup ecosystem has seen impressive growth Some 3,000 nancial and over the past few years with the city consistently ranked as one of business leaders and policy- the fastest growing startup hubs in the world. The StartmeupHK makers from around the world Venture Programme aims to attract entrepreneurial talent and gathered at the Asian innovative ventures from around the world to use Hong Kong as Financial Forum 2018, a their global launch pad. The leading annual event in the city now hosts over 2,200 international nancial world. start-ups drawn by the city's The major event reinforces supportive incubators and Hong Kong’s position as an accelerators, government international nancial centre. funding support, private venture capital, as well as Renminbi business leader Hong Kong’s excellent Hong Kong is the world’s largest oshore RMB business centre. A package of advantages. comprehensive range of RMB products and services has been developed to meet the needs of both local and overseas compa- Financial centre nies and nancial institutions. At end-2017, RMB deposits and The Global Financial Centres Index 20 ranks Hong Kong third. With a certicates of deposit in Hong Kong totalled more than RMB618.4 total market capitalisation of about US$4,351 billion at end-2017, billion, the world’s largest oshore pool of RMB funds. the Hong Kong stock market ranked sixth in the world and third in Asia’s trade fair capital Asia. The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong ranked rst globally for ve years in the past nine years since 2009 in terms of IPO funds raised. With world-class convention and exhibition facilities, Hong Kong is In 2017, around US$16.5 billion were raised through IPOs, ranked a premier destination for meetings, incentive travel, conventions fourth in the world and second in Asia. and exhibitions. The city hosts some of the Asia’s and even world’s biggest trade shows, such as the Hong Kong Electronics Fair, Fashion Week, International Jewellery Show, International Lighting Financial connections Fair, Toys and Games Fair, Watch and Clock Fair and Entertainment The Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Expo. Stock Connect and Bond Connect (launched in July 2017) strengthen the nancial connections between Hong Kong and the Mainland, further facilitating two- way investment ows and consolidating Hong Kong’s position as China’s interna- tional nancial centre and a global oshore Renminbi (RMB) business hub. 16 17 The tenacity and perseverance of Hong Kong’s athletes exemplify Hong Kong, which has been making movies for more than a the city’s “can-do” spirit. The HKSAR Government attaches great century, is a leading lm-making centre in Asia. Over the past importance to supporting athletes, including those with decade, Hong Kong lms and talent have won over 300 disabilities. international awards. Wong Kar-wai received the Lumière Award in Lyon, France, in October 2017, the rst Hong Kong lmmaker to be Sport stars bestowed the honour. The industry is supported by world-class Hong Kong’s top professional boxer animation and special eects expertise. Rex “The Wonder Kid” Tso is the unbeaten World Boxing Organiza- tion Asia Pacic super yweight Action cinema champion. Hong Kong Tenpin Hong Kong’s exciting style of bowling athletes Wu Siu-hong, action cinema has inspired a Michael Mak and Eric Tseng reaped number of Hollywood productions, the rst ever gold medal for Hong including Reservoir Dogs, Kill Bill Kong in the World Bowling (Volumes 1 & 2 ), Desperado, The Championships. Matrix series and The Departed. Kung Fu stars Bruce Lee, Jackie Hong Kong's top female snooker Chan, Jet Li and Donnie Yen player and two-time world began the road to stardom in champion Ng On-yee achieved her Hong Kong. world title for the third time in Egypt, and she was the rst Asian player to claim the World number Location filming one ranking for the rst time ever in February 2018. Hong Kong Hong Kong has long been a favourite location for moviemakers swimmer Siobhan Bernadette Haughey clutched two gold medals from Hollywood to Bollywood. Recent foreign lms that have used and set a new Universiade record in the Women’s 200m Freestyle Hong Kong as a location include Ghost in the Shell (US), Skiptrace event at the 29th Summer Universiade held in Taiwan. (US), Blackhat (US), It’s Already Tomorrow in Hong Kong (US), The Hong Kong's number one female golfer Tiany Chan claimed a Castle (France), The Suspect (Korea) and Transformers: Age of Extinc- runner-up nish in the Decatur-Forsyth Classic on the Symetra tion (US). Tour in the United States. Hong Kong's number one male golfer Jason Hak claimed a rst tournament win on the China Tour. Animation and special effects Hong Kong is a leader in the eld of digital animation. A pool of Kai Tak Sports Park talented special eects creators and digital animators deploy their Construction of the Kai Tak Sports skills for cinematic productions at home and abroad. Hong Kong Park is expected to commence in the studios also worked on big budget lms such as Journey to the West: second half of 2018 for completion Conquering the Demons, Unbeatable and the Overheard series. A between 2022 and 2023. It will Hong Kong-listed digital production company was behind the Iron provide a number of multi-purpose, Man 3 and X-Men: Days of Future Past, both nominated for Oscar’s high quality sports venues. “Best Visual Eects” award. 18 19 A prominent regional design centre, Hong Kong celebrates artistic CreateHK expression and creativity. Our creative industries employ about Create Hong Kong drives the 135,000 practitioners, engaged in elds ranging from dierent development of Hong Kong’s professions of design and fashion design to publishing, interactive creative industries. The o ce games to animation and comics, advertising to architecture, and works closely with the trade music to lm and TV production. to boost the development of Creative spaces various creative sectors, including advertising, architec- A historic building, previously a yacht clubhouse, has been ture, design, digital entertain- transformed into an art space called Oi! Comix Home Base, housed ment, lm, publishing, printing, in a cluster of revitalised pre-war historic buildings in Wan Chai, TV and music. The CreateSmart Initiative provides funding for oers a new creative space for comics and animation artists. PMQ, a initiatives that are conducive to the development of our creative historic building which served as a police married quarters, has industries. The Film Development Fund supports projects that become a creative industries landmark. enhance the long-term development of the lm industry, includ- ing the First Feature Film Initiative (FFFI). The FFFI identies up-and-coming lm directors and fully funds them to produce their rst feature lms. Since its launch in 2013, 10 new directors have been awarded and four lms have completed production. Two of them are the highly acclaimed Mad World and Weeds of Fire.

20 21 Leading academies Smart robot Sophia The Hong Kong Polytechnic University’s School of Design is one of The highly expressive robot Sophia, created by the world’s top design schools. Academies such as the Savannah a Hong Kong-based rm, made College of Art and international headlines when she was Design, the Run Run granted citizenship by Saudi Arabia Shaw Creative Media in 2017. Sophia is capable of 62 Centre of the City natural-looking facial expressions University of Hong Kong and neck movements. Articial and the Hong Kong intelligence and cameras Design Institute nurture inside her eyes allow Sophia creative talent. With to make eye contact with leading scientists and people, recognise faces, researchers working in understand speech and world- class universities engage in conversations. Her and technology centres, creators hope Sophia can Hong Kong is also a serve in healthcare, therapy, prominent R&D hub. education and customer service applications in future. Innovation The Global Innovation Index 2017 ranked Hong Kong the 16th most Hand of Hope innovative place among 127 economies surveyed. The Innovation The Hand of Hope is a device developed in Hong Kong to help and Technology Bureau supports the development of innovation stroke victims regain the use of their hands. The patient-controlled and technology in various ways. These include providing therapeutic device attached to the hand detects the patient’s world-class technology infrastructure, research institutions and intention, emitted from the brain to the forearm in the form of universities, nancial support, nurturing talents and start-ups, and voluntary electro-magnetic signals. The device then sends signals fostering a culture of innovation. to the hand brace, which enables the user to make the desired hand movement. Through repetition and feedback, the patient re-learns to use the hands. Real-time interactive games enhance the healing process. The device is used in a number of hospitals, clinics and universities around the 22 world. 23 Secure The Basic Law The Basic Law prescribes the systems to be practised in the HKSAR, to ensure the implementation of the basic policies of the People’s Republic of China regarding Hong Kong. It also assures the funda- mental rights and freedoms of residents, from freedom of speech to freedom of movement, equality before the law and access to the judicial system. Legislative Council The 70-member Council is Hong Kong’s law making body, which also approves public expenditure and monitors the work of the Government. The rule of law, clean government, a level playing eld for business, a comprehensive health and welfare system, and disciplinary forces among Asia’s nest combine to create a stable and safe environment for people to live, work, study and enjoy life. Hong Kong people are free to air their views and follow their personal and political beliefs. One country, two systems Under the “one country, two systems” principle, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) exercises a high degree of autonomy and enjoys executive, legislative and independent judicial power, including that of nal adjudication, in accordance with the provisions of the Basic Law. The capitalist system and way of life shall remain unchanged, and the laws previously in force remain basically the Rule of Law same. The HKSAR may, using the name “Hong Kong, China”, Operating a common law system, Hong Kong’s great strength is the participates in various international organisations such as the rule of law. The Rule of Law Index 2017-2018 compiled by the World World Trade Organization and the Asia-Paci c Economic Co- Justice Project ranked Hong Kong 16th among the 113 places operation and participate in international sports events such as surveyed, and fth in the East Asia and Paci c region. 24 the Olympics. 25 Independent judiciary Safe city The rule of law is rigorously upheld by Hong Kong has one of the world’s an independent judiciary, comprising lowest overall crime rates for a city. independent and highly respected The 2017 crime rate of 758 cases judges. The Court of Final Appeal may per 100,000 people was the lowest also call on esteemed judges from in 46 years. Hong Kong ranked fth other common law jurisdictions to sit among 149 countries and regions on the full court. Hong Kong is ranked surveyed in the “Safety and Security” 13th out of 137 economies and rst in category of the Prosperity Index Asia in the index of judicial independence published in the World 2017 compiled by the UK-based Legatum Institute. Hong Kong Economic Forum’s “Global Competitiveness Report 2017-2018”. ranked fourth globally and second in East Asia and the Paci c in the “Order and Security” indicator among 113 countries and Freedom jurisdictions surveyed in the World Justice Project’s Rule of Law Index 2017-2018. Hong Kong ranked second in the Human Freedom Index 2017 published by the Cato Institute of the United States. The index Corruption fighter measures the state of freedom in 159 jurisdictions based on 79 indicators covering such areas as the rule of law, freedom of move- International surveys consistently ment, civil liberties and economic freedom. rate Hong Kong as one of the “least corrupt” places in Asia. Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Equality Index 2017 ranked Hong Kong the The Basic Law protects equality before the law. Laws protect people 13th least corrupt among 180 against discrimination on the grounds of sex, race, disability and countries and territories around the family status. world and the third least corrupt in the Asia Paci c region. The Rule of Level Playing Field Law Index 2017-2018 ranked Hong Kong the 10th in the factor of Local and international “absence of corruption” among 113 companies compete places surveyed, and the fourth in on an equal footing the East Asia and Paci c region. and intellectual property rights are rigorously protected. Anti-money laundering Laws against unfair As an active member of the international Financial Action Task trade practices Force, Hong Kong takes concerted measures to combat money covering goods and laundering and terrorist nancing. The regulatory authorities in services oer consumers Hong Kong ensure that nancial institutions operating in Hong greater protection. Kong maintain good control systems to prevent illicit cash ows. 26 27 Arbitration Centre Public housing Hong Kong is a leading centre for international arbitration in the Hong Kong’s public housing programme is one of the largest and Asia-Paci c region. In the 2015 International Arbitration Survey most outstanding in the world. As at the fourth quarter of 2017, conducted by the Queen Mary University of London, Hong Kong some 2.14 million people, or 29 per cent of the population, live in was ranked the third most preferred and used seat worldwide and 808,300 public rental units. There were 404,500 subsidised sale ats. the rst outside of Europe.

Food safety The Centre for Food Safety adopts the World Health Organization’s “from farm to table” strategy to ensure food safety in Hong Kong. About 67,000 samples are collected at import, wholesale and retail levels for microbiological, chemical and radiological testing every year. The overall satisfactory rate of food tested has consistently been over 99 Social security per cent. The Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Scheme provides a social safety net to those in nancial hardship for various reasons, such as old age, disability, illness, unemployment and low earnings, Life expectancy to meet their basic needs. Hong Kong people currently Age friendly enjoy the world’s longest life expectancies at birth. In The Government promotes active ageing 2017, the provisional gure of and makes continuous eorts to make Hong average life expectancy was Kong an age-friendly city. 87.7 for women and 81.7 for Health security men. The provisional gure Hong Kong’s world-class healthcare system of infant mortality rate, at provides excellent, aordable healthcare. No 1.6 per 1,000 registered live one in Hong Kong is deprived of medical care births, is also among the because they cannot aord it. The Centre for lowest in the world. Health Protection keeps Hong Kong safe by dealing with public health challenges and 28 disease prevention and control. 29 Diverse Social harmony Ethnic minorities live in harmony in Hong Kong. The Government facilitates their integration into the community while helping them to preserve their cultures.

Religious freedom Hong Kong is a diverse, open and tolerant place where people Buddhist, Taoist, Hindu and Sikh temples, churches, mosques, are free to air their views and follow their religious and political synagogues, and other places of worship can be found spread beliefs. around the city and give all major religions a focus for their faith.

Freedom of expression A free press ensures debate and reportage on issues of the day, while political parties, independent voices and interest groups speak freely and openly in Hong Kong.

30 31 Hong Kong is an ultra-modern city, yet it retains great diversity, with Street art a mix of old and new, Western and Chinese architecture, great Hong Kong is a creative city where art is seen not only in galleries theme parks and a diverse food scene. The Government is keen on but also on the street, where local and overseas artists are conservation, sustainability and revitalisation of urban heritage. encouraged to show their talent. Grati and paintings on walls, Culinary paradise outdoor stairways and building facades brighten up pockets of the city. With every kind of culinary oering from around the world, Hong Kong has a well-deserved reputation as a culinary paradise. The 2018 edition of the Michelin Guide Hong Kong and Macau includes 227 addresses in Hong Kong, 63 of them with Michelin stars. They range from high-end restaurants to inexpensive street food stalls. World’s tallest city Theme parks Limited space for urban development coupled with architectural Hong Kong has two world-class and engineering ingenuity have given rise to more skyscrapers theme parks: Ocean Park Hong (buildings over 100 metres tall) in Hong Kong (1,358) than any other Kong and Hong Kong Disneyland. city, followed by New York (749) and Tokyo (496), according to Ocean Park is developing an rankings by Emporis, a global provider of building information. The all-weather indoor and outdoor 118-oor International Commerce Centre is Hong Kong’s tallest waterpark and two hotels, sched- building – and home to the world’s highest bar! uled for completion in phases from 2018 to 2021. Hong Kong Disney- land has made constant eorts in enhancing guest experience with new themed areas, attractions and entertainment oerings. The much- anticipated “Iron Man Experience” ride and the “Disney Explorers Lodge” resort-style hotel were launched in 2017. Also, Hong Kong Disneyland is implementing various projects under the expansion and development plan, which will bring new attractions to the park 32 progressively from 2018 to 2023. 33 As at January 2018, Hong Kong has 117 declared monuments. The Blue House Commissioner for Heritage’s Oce and the Antiquities and Located in the centre of Wan Chai, the Monuments Oce work to protect and conserve archaeological Blue House Cluster comprises three sites and built heritage, and assist in the adaptive reuse of historic tenement buildings, namely the Blue buildings in Hong Kong. Many heritage trails oer a glimpse into House, the Yellow House and the Hong Kong’s unique past. So far, Hong Kong has received 18 Orange House, which were constructed UNESCO Asia-Paci c Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation. from the 1920s to the 1950s. The Monuments in Central District cluster has been revitalised into the Viva Blue House which shows the There are many fascinating typical con guration of tenement monuments in the Central District, houses in Hong Kong in the early 20th such as the stone steps at Duddell century, with shops on the ground Street built between 1875 and 1889. oor and residential ats on upper The four gas lamps at the top and oors. Apart from the unique colour of bottom of the steps are the only its external walls, the Blue House still surviving working gas street lamps in retains its classic timber oor slabs, Hong Kong. Others include the St John’s timber staircases, timber doors and window frames as well as oor Cathedral, built in 1849, Flagsta tiles. This revitalisation project won the top Award of Excellence of House, built between 1844 and 1846, the UNESCO Asia-Paci c Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation which is now the Flagsta House Museum of Tea Ware, and the in 2017. Cenotaph in Statue Square. In addition, the revitalisation of the Central Police Station Compound, comprising the former Central Baroque beauty Police Station, the Central Magistracy and the Victoria Prison, is The Old Mental Hospital on High Street, Hong Kong Island, ongoing, which targets to create a centre providing heritage, displays impressive, rare Early-Baroque architecture in the city. contemporary art and leisure programmes for public enjoyment. Completed in 1892, the building was originally the Medical Sta Quarters of the Government Ancient tomb Civil Hospital. From 1939 to An almost 2,000-year old tomb in Lei 1961, it housed the mentally ill. Cheng Uk Estate, Kowloon oers a In 1998, works commenced to glimpse of early history and culture in redevelop the site into the the area. The design of the four- present Sai Ying Pun Community chamber tomb, inscriptions and burial Complex. The building preserves objects suggest it is dated to the Eastern an exceptional granite façade Han dynasty (AD 25 – 220). Pottery and and features a wide, arched bronze wares unearthed at the site, verandah, pinnacles, decorative including food and wine containers, parapets and ornamental models of house, granary and stove can wrought-ironwork. be seen in the tomb museum. 34 35 Hong Kong’s 1,100 square kilometres pack an astonishing diversity – mountains, verdant forests, wetlands, beaches, islands, spectacu- lar rock formations, scenic country parks, rural villages, farming areas, and marsh lands rich with ora and fauna. Country and marine parks About 40 per cent of the territory of Hong Kong has been designated as country parks and special areas. There are 24 country parks and 22 special areas dedicated to conservation, education and recreation. There are also ve marine parks and one marine Hiking trails reserve covering 3,400 hectares of sea area. A great number of scenic hiking trails meander throughout Hong Kong’s numerous country parks, oering a great escape from busy Biodiversity city life. The longest – the MacLehose Trail – runs 100 kilometres Hong Kong is blessed with a rich diversity east-west across mountains, valleys and beaches in the New of ora and fauna, including more than 50 Territories and was listed by National Geographic in its “World’s Best species of mammals, over 500 species of Hikes: 20 Dream Trails”. The “Dragon’s Back” on Hong Kong Island birds, over 100 species of amphibians and has been voted Asia’s “Best Urban Hike” by Time (Asia) magazine. reptiles, close to 200 species of freshwater The Lantau Trail is a 70-kilometre circular trail on Lantau Island. sh, 235 species of butteries, and 120 species of dragonies. There are more than 3,300 vascular plant species. The Government takes careful measures to protect them.

Geopark Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark was accepted as a member of the Global Geoparks Network in 2011. Wetland Park Located in the eastern part of Hong Kong and extended The 61-hectare Hong Kong Wetland Park in the New Territories is a from the northeast New recreated wetland habitat for water birds and other wildlife. Also Territories to the Sai Kung home to many varieties of butteries, amphibians, reptiles, sh, area, it is a single entity crabs and mudskippers, as well as the celebrity crocodile “Pui Pui”, where sites and landscapes this world-class eco-park features a number of Hong Kong’s ora of international signi cance and fauna in a natural setting. The park has won many international are holistically managed with the support of local communities awards, including the prestigious Global Award for Excellence from the Urban Land Institute in the US. 36 and other geopark stakeholders. 37 Rare species Connected Hong Kong is home to rare species such as the Chinese White Dolphin, Spoon-billed Sandpiper and the endemic Bogadek’s Burrowing Lizard. Other species rst discovered here and named after Hong Kong include the Hong Kong Camellia, Hong Kong Balsam and Hong Kong Newt. Some globally threatened species found here include the Romer’s Tree Frog, Three-banded Box Turtle, Chinese Pangolin and Indo-Paci c Finless Porpoise. Bird sanctuary Hong Kong is a major stopover site along the “East Asian- Australasian Flyway” of migratory birds and a refueling station for 50,000 to 80,000 migratory waterbirds every year, including globally threatened species such as the Black-faced Spoonbill, Nordmann’s Greenshank and Spoon-billed Sandpiper. The Mai Po Strategically located on the Far East trade routes and at the Nature Reserve (made up of traditional shrimp ponds, freshwater centre of the fast developing Asia-Paci c Region, Hong Kong is ponds, inter-tidal mudats, mangroves, reed beds and shponds) is well-connected to the rest of the world. Within a four-hour ight among Asia’s most important conservation areas for wildlife. About from Asia’s key markets and a ve-hour ight from half the 400 species of birds have been recorded here. world’s population, the city is an international centre for nance, logistics, trade, shipping, aviation, tourism and communications. Hong Kong has an excellent local transport systems and state-of-the-art telecommunications.

Best infrastructure Hong Kong is well-connected, with convenient modes of transport, including one of the world’s most ecient and aordable public transport systems. Hong Kong invests heavily in infrastructure to boost connectivity globally, with the Mainland and locally. Hong Kong ranked rst globally in the quality of infrastructure in the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report 2017-2018. 38 39 Hub port Well linked by roads, tunnels and bridges, the city is enhancing Hong Kong is the world’s fth busiest container port and a promi- connections with the Mainland of China and the rest of the world nent regional hub port, with about 320 container liner services per with some major infrastructure projects. All these developments week connecting to about 470 destinations worldwide. The port’s represent great con dence and vision for the city's long-term nine container terminals have a total handling capacity of about 20 development. million TEUs. The Hong Kong Shipping Register is the fourth largest Land-based Cross Boundary Transport in the world in terms of gross tonnage. There are six major land crossings - four road-based and two rail-based - in Hong Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) Kong. Cross-boundary passengers can also HKIA is one of the world’s busiest airports. It is also frequently take MTR Intercity Through Trains at the ranked as one of the world’s best airports. In 2017, HKIA welcomed Hung Hom Control Point to the Mainland of 72.9 million passengers and handled 420,630 ight movements, an China. In addition, three new control points, annual growth of 3.3 per cent and 2.2 per cent respectively. Over namely the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge 100 airlines operate around 1,100 daily ights at HKIA to about 220 Hong Kong Port, Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail destinations worldwide, including over 50 in the Mainland of China. Link West Kowloon Station, and Liantang/Heung Yuen Wai The expansion of the HKIA into a three-runway system has Boundary Control Point, are anticipated to be commissioned in the commenced, to meet Hong Kong’s long-term air trac demand and near future. strengthen its status as an international aviation hub. Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge This masterpiece of engineering will link the three key places in the Pearl River Delta. The bridge, spanning 41.6 km from the Hong Kong Boundary Crossing Facilities to the Zhuhai-Macao Boundary Crossing Facilities, will be the longest bridge-and-tunnel sea- crossing in the world. The bridge will make it possible to travel from Hong Kong to Macao and Zhuhai in one hour, within three hours to most of the major towns and cities of the Western Pearl River Delta and about one day to major cities in Indochina. Tsing Ma Bridge An important link between the city and its airport, the 2.16 km Tsing Ma Bridge is currently the world’s second longest span suspension bridge carrying both road 40 and rail trac. 41 High-speed rail With a highly ecient transport network, ranging from its modern The Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong railway system to trams, buses, mini-buses and ferries, Hong Kong is Kong Express Rail Link, expected to one of the least car-dependent cities in the world. start rolling in 2018, will link Hong Commuter city Kong with the 25,000 km national high-speed rail network. The 26 km Hong Kong’s ecient and reasonably priced public transport Hong Kong Section will run from network handles around 12.6 million passenger trips a day. About West Kowloon to Shenzhen. With a 90 per cent of daily commuter journeys are made on Hong Kong’s top speed of 200 kmh, the new train ecient public transport system. The territory’s extensive road service will slash journey time network spans about 2,100 km. between Hong Kong and Guangzhou to 48 minutes. It will then link into existing high-speed rail services in the Mainland, connecting Hong Kong still further with other major cities across dierent parts of China. Tuen Mun-Chek Lap Kok Link The Tuen Mun-Chek Lap Kok Link will provide the most direct route between the Northwest New Territories and Hong Kong-Zhuhai- Macao Bridge, HKIA and North Lantau. This alternative route to the HKIA will reinforce the airport as a regional aviation hub. Cruise terminal Super metro The Kai Tak Cruise Terminal has the capacity to simultaneously handle two of the world’s largest cruise ships. Together with the The Mass Transit Railway Ocean Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong is well equipped for (MTR) Corporation’s developing into a leading cruise hub in the region. territory-wide network comprises 11 railway lines, the Airport Express and the Light Rail Transit system running in the northwestern New Territories. Together, these services provide an average of over ve million daily passenger journeys with 99.9 per cent on-time performance, one of the best records in the world. The 17 km Shatin to Central Link is scheduled to open phase by phase between 2019 and 2021, while seven new railway projects under the Railway Development Strategy 2014 are being taken forward 42 in an orderly manner. 43 Hong Kong’s strategic location at the mouth of the Pearl River Delta Hong Kong's telecommunications infrastructure is one of the makes it the natural gateway to the Mainland of China. The city’s world's most advanced, with a wide range of innovative services connections reach beyond infrastructure to language, culture, available at low cost. Broadband and mobile networks cover almost market intelligence and information. Hong Kong is an ideal 100 per cent of the territory, providing companies and individuals gateway for companies seeking access to China and for Mainland with reliable, accessible and secure communications. companies reaching out to the world. IT infrastructure Belt and Road Initiative Hong Kong is a world leader in IT The Belt and Road Initiative is a infrastructure, Internet security and major global growth engine which free information ow, and an early is set to boost trade and economic adopter of Internet of Things (IoT) growth as well as stimulate technologies in city management, infrastructure development across transport and logistics, trade and countries in Asia, Africa, the Middle e-commerce. East and Europe, leading to enhanced connectivity between Belt and Road related countries and regions. Capitalising on our unique Data centres advantages in location, rst-mover position of opening up, With high-tech infrastructure, tech-savvy professionals, reliable professional services, as well as cultural and people-to-people power supply and robust enforcement of data privacy and security, bonds, Hong Kong can serve as the platform for Belt and Road Hong Kong oers an excellent location for high-end regional data nance and investment, professional services, economic and trade centres in the Asia-Paci c Region. and logistics, cultural exchanges, etc., and leverage our advantages to meet the country’s needs. Wi-Fi hotspots Hong Kong has over 49,000 public Wi-Fi Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area hotspots across the city. Under the “Wi-Fi One of the main objectives of the development of the Guangdong- Connected City” programme, the Govern- Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area is to connect with Belt and Road and ment continues to expand the coverage of international markets. Under “one country, two systems”, Hong the common brand “Wi-Fi.HK” through Kong enjoys unique strengths: we can fully grasp the crucial oppor- collaboration with public and private tunities brought about by the Bay Area by “attracting foreign invest- organisations to oer free Wi-Fi service to ment” from international enterprises on the one hand, and helping the citizens and visitors. With a mobile app showing the location of Mainland enterprises – especially those that are based in the Bay all “Wi-Fi.HK” hotspots, it’s easy to get connected in Hong Kong. Area and are closer to Hong Kong – to “go global” on the other hand. This would not only allow Hong Kong to enhance the strong Internet positions of industries where Hong Kong enjoys clear advantages, The city’s broadband networks cover nearly all commercial and such as nance, trade, logistics and professional services, but it residential buildings. The household broadband penetration rate is would also open up new sources of economic growth, such as 92.4 per cent. Both Hong Kong’s average peak internet connection innovation and technology, thereby providing impetus for speed (129.5 Mbps) and the average internet connection speed long-term economic development. (21.9 Mbps) are the fourth-fastest in the world. 44 45 Weather Mobile phones HONG KONG Coldest month: February The 18.3 million mobile service Facts and Figures 2017 (mean temperature 17˚C) subscribers represent one of the Hottest month: August highest penetration rates in the Population (mean temperature 29.3 ˚C) world at 247.3 per cent. Total : 7.39 million Annual total rainfall: 2,572.1mm Median age: 43.9 Gender ratio: 848 males per 1,000 females Religions Life expectancy: Men 81.7 years# Buddhists and Taoists make up the majority Women 87.7years# Others: Catholics, Christians, Muslims, Smartcard Hindus, Sikhs and Jews Hong Kong has a robust electronic Ocial languages payment ecosystem. The homegrown Chinese, English Time zone Octopus card is one of the world’s leading GMT + 8 hours smart card payment systems, which Economy people use to make payments on nearly Gross Domestic Product : US$341.6 billion Electricity supply all public transport modes and at tens of (at current market prices) AC 220V thousands of retail outlets and leisure GDP per capita : US$46,218 Plug type: British three-pin facilities, without the hassle of searching (at current market price) for small change. Exchange rate: US$1 = HK$7.794 Useful telephone numbers (average in 2017) Emergency: 999 Land area Directory enquiries (Chinese): 1083 e-Channels Directory enquiries (English): 1081 Total: 1,106.34 km2 At HKIA, sea and land boundary Land developed: less than 25% Important dates control points, eligible Hong Country parks and nature reserves: 40% Kong residents and visitors can National Day: October 1 enjoy immigration clearance in Roads and vehicles Hong Kong SAR Establishment Day: July 1 12 and 20 seconds respectively 2,112 km of public roads Smoking through e-Channels. The self- 766,200 licensed vehicles service departure service at all Smoking is banned in all indoor public control points oers visitors spaces / work places and many outdoor even greater travel convenience. leisure areas

Submarine cable Note : # Provisional gures Hong Kong is a key node in the global submarine cable network, Related Organisations: with 11 submarine cables landing in the city. Facebook and Google Invest Hong Kong Hong Kong Tourism Board Hong Kong Trade Development Council are building one of the fastest trans-paci c cable (120 Tbps Tel: (852) 3107 1000 Tel: (852) 2807 6543 Tel: (852) 1830 668 bandwidth) connecting Hong Kong and Los Angeles. It will come E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] online in 2018. www.investhk.gov.hk www.discoverhongkong.com www.hktdc.com 46 47 SHENZHEN SHA TAU KOK

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SCALE SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION km km 2 0 2 4 6 8 10 SOUTH CHINA SEA Map from MTR Corporation Limited Asia Pacific: North America: CONTACT US • Jakarta • New York Tel.: (62) 21 8086 9730 Tel.: (1) 212 752 3320 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] • Singapore www.hketony.gov.hk Tel.: (65) 6338 1771 • San Francisco E-mail: [email protected] Tel.: (1) 415 835 9300 London Berlin www.hketosin.gov.hk E-mail: [email protected] Toronto Brussels Geneva Beijing New York • Sydney www.hketosf.gov.hk San Francisco Washington Wuhan Tokyo Chengdu Tel.: (61) 2 9283 3222 • Washington Shanghai Guangdong Taiwan E-mail: [email protected] Tel.: (1) 202 331 8947 Hong Kong www.hketosydney.gov.hk E-mail: [email protected] Singapore • Tokyo www.hketowashington.gov.hk

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