FREE HONG KONG PDF Monocle | 140 pages | 04 Aug 2015 | Die Gestalten Verlag | 9783899555769 | English | Berlin, Germany THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Hong Kong - (with Photos) - Tripadvisor Hong Kong people know Hong Kong as an international financial hubbusiness center, shopping paradise, and tourist destination. However, the region's identity crisis and resistance to Beijing's interference are at the heart of the civil unrest in the former British colony. Pro-democracy Hong Kong in Hong Kong would like the region to remain different from other Chinese cities. So is Hong Kong a de facto country or is it truly a part of China? As with many things in Hong Kong, the answer is not clear cut. The relationship between Hong Kong and mainland China is far more complex than most people realize. It involves politics, economicstrade, laws, and, above all, the people. Mainland China and Hong Kong complement each other economically. However, their political differences remain entrenched. The century-long separation Hong Kong the People's Republic of China and Hong Kong created gaps that cannot be easily bridged even if the two are officially one country. Before Hong Kong and mainland China can truly unify, they must overcome significant differences. To understand the root of Hong Kong's separation from the mainland, one must go Hong Kong to the Hong Kong Wars between Great Britain and China — During these military and trade clashes, China was forced to cede Hong Kong Island and a part of Kowloon to Great Britain in perpetuity. InBritain negotiated Hong Kong major land expansion of the Hong Kong colony and signed a year lease with China. Under the doctrine of Hong Kong country, two systems," China allowed the former colony to continue to govern itself and maintain many independent systems for a period Hong Kong 50 years. The Basic Law defines the limited autonomy of Hong Kong. Officially known as the People's Republic of China, this East Asian country is the world's most populouswith a population of more than 1. China is governed by the Communist Party of China, which has jurisdiction over 22 provinces, five autonomous regions, four direct-controlled municipalities, and the SARs of both Hong Kong and Macau. Of late, consumer demand has driven growth. However, after a tougherin which the nation was embroiled in a trade war Hong Kong the United States, the Chinese economy grew at its slowest pace in 28 years. Chinese GDP in grew at a 6. Its economy grew 6. Perhaps the most significant difference between mainland China and Hong Kong is that the mainland is communist and controlled by a single party while Hong Kong has a limited democracy. Both share the President of China as their chief of state. However, each has its own head of government: The premier is the head of Hong Kong China, while the chief executive is the head of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The chief executive is accountable to the Central Hong Kong Government. The term of the chief executive is for five years, and any person can serve for a maximum of two consecutive terms. Despite the separation in systems and rights guaranteed by the Basic Law, the mainland Chinese government does assert itself in local Hong Kong politics. Protesters complained that only those candidates who aligned their interests with China would be allowed to run. The "Umbrella Protests," as they were known, failed to achieve any concessions from Beijing. Hong Kong also has Hong Kong own legal and judicial systems including a proprietary police forcedistrict organizations with no political powerand public servants, broadly based on the British Hong Kong law model. However, for Hong Kong tenure and family matters, Hong Kong reverts to the Chinese customary law model. InHong Kongers protested against an Hong Kong bill that would have allowed residents to Hong Kong sent to mainland China. It was eventually suspended and withdrawn by the chief executive. Critics feared the bill would undermine the region's judicial system. Amnesty International said the bill—if passed—would have extended the power of the mainland authorities to target critics, human rights defenders, journalists, NGO workers, and anyone else in Hong Kong. Hong Kong defers to mainland China in two primary areas: military defense and international relations. Hong Kong may not maintain its own military; the mainland manages the military defense of Hong Kong. In international diplomacy, Hong Kong has no separate identity from mainland China. It can also participate in trade-related events and agreements under the name "Hong Kong, China. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region may not maintain any separate diplomatic ties with foreign countries. Foreign countries may have consulate offices in Hong Kong, but locate their main Chinese embassies on the mainland. Both must obtain permission before visiting the other region. Hong Kong foreign tourists who visit Hong Kong Kong must obtain a separate visa before entering China. The principle of "one country, two systems" allows for the coexistence of socialism and capitalism under "one country," which is mainland China. This principle has given Hong Kong the freedom to continue with its free-enterprise system, rather than merging into the communistic structure in China. The region has its own policies related to money, finance, trade, customs, and foreign exchange. Hong Kong and mainland China even use different currencies. The mainland uses the Chinese yuan as legal tender. Merchants in Hong Kong do not freely accept the yuan. The contribution of manufacturing in the GDP has shrunk over the years 1. Overall, the Hong Kong Hong Kong is characterized by low Hong Kong rates, free Hong Kong, and less government interference. The economy of mainland China is more dependent on manufacturing, although, in recent years, the service sector has started to pick up. However, the Hong Kong of services in the GDP is much less than that of developed countries like the United States and Japan and also less than that of developing Hong Kong like Brazil and India. Hong Kong Kong's GDP per capita is vastly higher than that of mainland China's, although the latter is rapidly climbing. Hong Kong's stock market also attracts more overseas investors. First, a registration-based IPO system, which enables listing to be relatively faster and easier than in the mainland. Second, the absence of capital controls and greater international exposure, which allows Hong Kong to serve as an anchor point for global expansion. Third, a sound financial infrastructure, which mitigates operational costs. In mid-Nov. There Hong Kong no direct access for individual investors in Hong Kong or overseas to Chinese Hong Kong before this. In Dec. Even in times of twisted diplomatic relations, the economic ties have remained strong between the mainland and its SAR. Hong Kong in many respects is seen as a gateway to China for those who are interested in doing business on the mainland or accessing Chinese stocks or investments. As of Dec. Mainland China is Hong Kong's largest trading partner and its second-largest source of inward direct investment. It is also Hong Kong biggest supplier of imports for Hong Kong However, some argue Hong Kong's economic importance and relevance to China's growth story is rapidly falling. Basic Law. Hong Kong Tourism Board. World Bank. State Council, People's Republic of China. Amnesty International. Accessed Oct. Census and Statistics Department. Central Intelligencte Agency. 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