Hong Kong

{{Short description|Special administrative region of China}} {{Redirect|HK||Hong Kong (disambiguation)|and|HK (disambiguation)}} {{Good article}} {{Pp-semi-indef}} {{Pp-move}} {{Use Hong Kong English|date = April 2022}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2024}} {{Infobox political division | name = Hong Kong | native_name = 香港 | native_name_lang = zh-Hant-HK | settlement_type = Special administrative region | official_name = {{raise|0.2em|Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China}}{{collapsible list | titlestyle = background:transparent; text-align:center; line-height:normal; font-size:90%; | title = {{resize|1.0 em|Other official names}} | {{Infobox|subbox=yes|bodystyle=font-size:90%;font-weight:normal; | rowclass1 = mergedrow | label1=Chinese: |data1={{lang|zh-hant|中華人民共和國香港特別行政區}} | rowclass2 = mergedrow | label2=Cantonese Yale romanisation: |data2=''Jūng'wàh Yàhnmàhn Guhng'wòhgwok Hēunggóng Dahkbiht Hàhngjingkēui'' | rowclass3 = mergedrow | label3=Cantonese Jyutping romanisation: |data3=''zung1 waa4 jan4 man4 gung6 wo4 gwok3 hoeng1 gong2 dak6 bit6 hang4 zing3 keoi1'' }} }} | image_flag = Flag of Hong Kong.svg | flag_size = 125 | flag_alt = A flag with a white 5-petalled flower design on a solid red background | flag_link = Flag of Hong Kong | image_seal = Regional Emblem of Hong Kong.svg | seal_size = 85 | seal_alt = A red circular emblem, with a white 5-petalled flower design in the centre, and surrounded by the words "Hong Kong" and "{{lang|zh-hant|中華人民共和國香港特別行政區}}" | seal_type = Emblem | seal_link = Emblem of Hong Kong | image_map = File:China Hong Kong 4 levels localisation.svg | map_alt = Location of Hong Kong | map_caption = Location of Hong Kong (red) within China (beige) | mapsize = | subdivision_type = Sovereign state | subdivision_name = {{CHN}} | established_title = British possession | established_date = 26 January 1841 | established_title1 = Treaty of Nanking | established_date1 = 29 August 1842 | established_title2 = Convention of Peking | established_date2 = 24 October 1860 | established_title3 = New Territories lease | established_date3 = 9 June 1898 | established_title4 = Imperial Japanese occupation | established_date4 = 25 December 1941 to 30 August 1945 | established_title5 = Re-designated as a British Dependent Territory | established_date5 = 1 January 1981 | established_title6= Sino-British Joint Declaration | established_date6 = 19 December 1984 | established_title7 = Handover to China | established_date7 = 1 July 1997 | official_languages = {{hlist|Chinese{{efn|name=chinese-varieties|No specific variety of Chinese is official in the territory. Residents predominantly speak Cantonese, the ''de facto'' regional standard.<ref>{{harvnb|Leung|2016}}.</ref><ref name="OfficialLanguagesOrd" /><ref name="2021By-CensusLanguages"/>}}|English{{efn|name=language-status|For most government use, documents written using Traditional Chinese characters are authoritative over ones inscribed with Simplified Chinese characters.<ref>{{harvnb|Legislative Council Disclaimer and Copyright Notice}}</ref> English shares equal status with Chinese in all official proceedings.<ref name="ChineseInCourt">{{harvnb|Use of Chinese in Court Proceedings|2011}}</ref>}}}} | capital_type = Administrative centre | capital = Tamar | largest_settlement_type = district {{nobold|by population}} | largest_settlement = Sha Tin | languages_type = Regional and indigenous languages | languages_sub = yes | languages = {{hlist|Cantonese{{efn|name=chinese-varieties}}|Weitou dialect|Hakka|Tanka}} | languages2_type = Official scripts | languages2_sub = yes | languages2 = Traditional Chinese{{efn|name=language-status}} English alphabet | demonym = {{hlist|Hongkonger|Hongkongese}} | ethnic_groups = 91.6% Chinese 2.7% Filipino 1.9% Indonesian 0.8% White 0.6% Indian 0.4% Nepalese 2% other<ref name="demographics" /> | ethnic_groups_year = 2021 | government_type = Devolved executive-led government within a unitary communist state<ref>{{cite web |title=China (People's Republic of) 1982 (rev. 2004) |url=https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/China_2004?lang=en |publisher=Constitute project |access-date=25 August 2019 |archive-date=17 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150717104412/https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/China_2004?lang=en |url-status=live}}</ref> | leader_title1 = Chief Executive | leader_name1 = John Lee | leader_title2 = Chief Secretary | leader_name2 = Eric Chan | leader_title3 = Council President | leader_name3 = Starry Lee | leader_title4 = Chief Justice | leader_name4 = Andrew Cheung | legislature = Legislative Council | national_representation_type1 = National People's Congress | national_representation1 = 36 deputies | national_representation_type2 = Chinese People's {{nowrap|Political Consultative}} Conference | national_representation2 = 203 delegates<ref name="NationalReps" /> | area_km2 = 2,754.97<ref name="landsd area">{{cite web | title=Survey and Mapping Office – Circulars and Publications | url=https://www.landsd.gov.hk/en/resources/mapping-information/hk-geographic-data.html | publisher=Survey and Mapping Office | access-date=20 October 2020 | archive-date=31 March 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230331083925/https://www.landsd.gov.hk/en/resources/mapping-information/hk-geographic-data.html | url-status=live }}</ref> | area_sq_mi = 1,063.7  | area_rank = 168th | area_label2 = Land | area_data2 = 1,114.35 km{{sup|2}} (430.25 sq mi)<ref name="landsd area"/>  | percent_water = 59.70 (1,640.62 km{{sup|2}}; 633.45 sq mi)<ref name="landsd area"/> | elevation_max_m = 957 | elevation_max_point = Tai Mo Shan | elevation_min_m = 0 | elevation_min_point = South China Sea | population_estimate = {{increaseNeutral}} 7,498,100<ref>{{cite press release |title=Mid-year population for 2023 |date=15 August 2023 |publisher=Census and Statistics Department |url=https://www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/press_release_detail.html?id=5265 |access-date=15 November 2023 |archive-date=15 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231115122540/https://www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/press_release_detail.html?id=5265 |url-status=live }}</ref> | population_estimate_year = 2023 | population_census = {{increaseNeutral}} 7,413,070<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.census2021.gov.hk/doc/media/Table(EN).pdf |title=Key statistics of the 2021 and 2011 Population Census |publisher=census2021.gov.hk |access-date=15 March 2022 |archive-date=13 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313082407/https://www.census2021.gov.hk/doc/media/Table%28EN%29.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> | population_census_year = 2021 | population_density_km2 = 6,801<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.census2021.gov.hk/en/main_tables.html |title=Main Tables – 2021 Population Census |publisher=census2021.gov.hk |access-date=15 March 2022 |archive-date=14 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221114005052/https://www.census2021.gov.hk/en/main_tables.html |url-status=live }}</ref> | population_density_sq_mi = 17,614  | population_density_rank = 4th | GDP_PPP = {{increase}} $635.594 billion<ref name="IMFWEO.HK">{{cite web |url=https://data.imf.org/en/Data-Explorer?datasetUrn=IMF.RES:WEO(9.0.0) |title=World Economic Outlook Database (April 2026 Edition) |publisher=International Monetary Fund |website=www.imf.org |date=14 April 2026 |access-date=19 April 2026}}</ref> | GDP_PPP_year = 2026 | GDP_PPP_rank = 50th | GDP_PPP_per_capita = {{increase}} $84,212<ref name="IMFWEO.HK" /> | GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 18th | GDP_nominal = {{increase}} $450.138 billion<ref name="IMFWEO.HK" /> | GDP_nominal_year = 2026 | GDP_nominal_rank = 39th | GDP_nominal_per_capita = {{increase}} $59,640<ref name="IMFWEO.HK" /> | GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 20th | Gini = 45.7  | Gini_year = 2024 | Gini_change = increase  | Gini_ref ={{efn|After adjustment for taxes and social transfers}}<ref name="GiniRef">{{harvnb|Household Income Distribution|2021|p=5}}</ref> | HDI = 0.955  | HDI_year = 2023 | HDI_change = decrease | HDI_ref = <ref name="UNHDR">{{Cite web |date=6 May 2025 |title=Human Development Report 2025 |url=https://hdr.undp.org/system/files/documents/global-report-document/hdr2025reporten.pdf|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250506051232/https://hdr.undp.org/system/files/documents/global-report-document/hdr2025reporten.pdf |archive-date=6 May 2025 |access-date=6 May 2025 |publisher=United Nations Development Programme |language=en}}</ref> | HDI_rank = 8th | currency = Hong Kong dollar (HK$) | currency_code = HKD | timezone = HKT | utc_offset = +08:00 | date_format = dd/mm/yyyy yyyy年mm月dd日 | electricity = 220 V–50 Hz | calling_code = +852 | blank_name_sec1 = Number plate prefixes | blank_info_sec1 = None for local vehicles, {{lang|zh-cn|粤Z}} for cross-boundary vehicles | blank_name_sec2 = Climate | blank_info_sec2 = Monsoon-influenced humid subtropical climate (Cwa) | iso_code = {{hlist|HK|CN-HK}} | cctld = {{hlist|.hk|.香港}}|population_estimate_rank=102th}}

'''Hong Kong'''{{efn|{{bulleted list|{{IPAc-en|US|'|h|Q|N|k|Q|N}} or {{IPAc-en|UK|h|Q|N|'|k|Q|N}}; {{lang-zh|t={{linktext|香港}}|j=Hoeng1 gong2|cy=Hēunggóng}}, {{small|Cantonese:}} {{IPA|yue|hœ́ːŋ.kɔ̌ːŋ||Yue-heung1gong2.ogg}}|Officially the '''Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China''' (abbr. '''Hong Kong SAR''' or '''HKSAR'''; {{lang-zh|t=中華人民共和國香港特別行政區|cy=Hēunggóng Dahkbiht Hàhngjingkēui|p=Xiānggǎng Tèbié Xíngzhèngqū}}).|Legally '''Hong Kong, China''' in international treaties and organisations.}}}} is a special administrative region of China. Situated on China's southern coast just south of Shenzhen, it consists of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, and the New Territories. With 7.5 million residents in a {{convert|1114|km2|adj=on}} territory, Hong Kong is the fourth-most densely populated region in the world.

Hong Kong was established as a colony of the British Empire after the Qing dynasty ceded Hong Kong Island in 1841–1842 as a result of losing the First Opium War. The colony expanded to the Kowloon Peninsula in 1860 and was further extended when the United Kingdom obtained a 99-year lease of the New Territories in 1898. Hong Kong was occupied by Japan from 1941 to 1945 during World War II. The territory was handed over from the United Kingdom to China in 1997. Hong Kong maintains separate governing and economic systems from those of mainland China under the principle of one country, two systems.{{Efn|However, decisions made by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress override any territorial judicial process. Furthermore, the State Council may enforce national law in the region under specific circumstances.|name=|group=}}

Originally an area of farming and fishing villages,<ref name="CarrollEarlyHistory">{{harvnb|Carroll|2007|pp=15–21}}.</ref>{{sfn|Ren|2010|p=221}} Hong Kong is now one of the world's most significant financial centres and commercial ports. Hong Kong is the world's third-ranked global financial centre behind New York City and London, the ninth-largest exporter, and eighth-largest importer in the world. Its currency, the Hong Kong dollar, is the ninth-most traded currency in the world. Home to the third-highest number of billionaires of any city in the world, Hong Kong has the second largest number of ultra high-net-worth individuals.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/10-cities-globally-most-high-net-worth-wealthy-people-2023-9 |title=The top 10 cities around the world with the most ultra-wealthy people |last=Kirschner |first=Kylie |date=10 September 2023 |website=Business Insider |access-date=15 November 2023 |archive-date=15 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231115120539/https://www.businessinsider.com/10-cities-globally-most-high-net-worth-wealthy-people-2023-9 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Frank |first=Robert |date=2024-07-19 |title=The ultra-wealthy just gained $49 trillion in wealth thanks to stocks |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2024/07/19/population-ultra-high-net-worth-wealth.html |access-date=2025-07-25 |website=CNBC |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Contino |first1=Genna |title=The Cities With The Most Billionaires 2025 |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/gennacontino/2025/04/02/the-cities-with-the-most-billionaires-2025/ |access-date=4 February 2026 |work=Forbes |date=2 April 2025 |language=en}}</ref> The city has one of the highest per capita incomes in the world, although severe income inequality still exists among the population.

Hong Kong is the region with the most skyscrapers in the world, even though its housing is consistently in high demand. Hong Kong is the second most expensive residential property market in the world and is one of the most expensive cities in the world. Hong Kong is also one of the most visited cities in the world.

Hong Kong is a highly developed territory and has a Human Development Index (HDI) of 0.955, ranking eighth in the world, and is currently the only place in Asia to be in the top ten. Hong Kong is categorized as an Alpha+ city by the Globalization and World Cities Research Network. The city has the highest life expectancy in the world, and has a public transport usage exceeding 90 per cent. {{TOC limit|limit=3}}

==Etymology== {{Infobox Chinese | title = Hong Kong | c = 香港 | l = "Fragrant Harbour"<ref name="HerbariumName" /><ref name="CarrollHKName">{{harvnb|Carroll|2007|p=1}}</ref> | ci = {{unbulleted list|{{IPA|yue|hœ́ːŋ.kɔ̌ːŋ|}}|''or''|{{IPA|yue|hœ̂ːŋ.kɔ̌ːŋ|}}}} | y = {{unbulleted list|{{Audio|Yue-heung1gong2.ogg|Hēunggóng|help=no}}|''or''|Hèunggóng}} | j = hoeng1 gong2 | gd = {{tone superscript|Hêng1gong2}} | h = {{tone superscript|Hiong1gong3}} | p = Xiānggǎng | w = {{tone superscript|Hsiang1-kang3}} | bpmf = ㄒㄧㄤ   ㄍㄤˇ | gr = Shianggaang | myr = Syānggǎng | mi = {{IPAc-cmn|x|iang|1|.|g|ang|3}} | wgn = {{tone superscript|shian1 kaon3}} | wi = {{IPA|wuu|ɕiã˥ kɑ̃˧|label=Shanghainese:}} | poj = Hiong-káng | pic2 = Hong Kong in Chinese 2.svg{{!}}class=skin-invert | piccap2 = "Hong Kong" in Chinese characters | picupright2 = 0.45 | picsize2 = 100px | altname = Hong Kong Special Administrative Region | t2 = {{unbulleted list|香港特別行政區|(香港特區)}} | s2 = {{unbulleted list|香港特别行政区|(香港特区)}} | y2 = {{unbulleted list|Hēunggóng Dahkbiht Hàhngjingkēui|(Hēunggóng Dahkkēui)|''or''|Hèunggóng Dahkbiht Hàhngjingkēui|(Hèunggóng Dahkkēui)}} | j2 = {{unbulleted list|hoeng1 gong2 dak6 bit6 hang4 zing3 keoi1|(hoeng1 gong2 dak6 keoi1)}} | gd2 = {{unbulleted list|{{tone superscript|Hêng1gong2 Deg6⁠bid6 Heng4⁠jing3⁠kêu1|(Hêng1gong2 Deg6kêu1)}}}} | ci2 = {{unbulleted list|{{IPA|yue|hœ́ːŋ.kɔ̌ːŋ tɐ̀k̚.pìːt̚ hɐ̏ŋ.tsēŋ.kʰɵ́y|}}|({{IPA|yue|hœ́ːŋ.kɔ̌ːŋ tɐ̀k̚.kʰɵ́y|}})|''or''|{{IPA|yue|hœ̂ːŋ.kɔ̌ːŋ tɐ̀k̚.pìːt̚ hɐ̏ŋ.tsēŋ.kʰɵ́y|}}|({{IPA|yue|hœ̂ːŋ.kɔ̌ːŋ tɐ̀k̚.kʰɵ́y|}})}} | h2 = {{unbulleted list|{{tone superscript|Hiong1gong3 Tet6⁠piet6 Hang2⁠zin4⁠ki1|(Hiong1gong3 Tet6ki1)}}}} | w2 = {{unbulleted list|{{tone superscript|Hsiang1-kang3 T}}{{wg-apos}}{{tone superscript|e4-⁠pieh2 Hsing2-⁠cheng4-⁠ch}}{{wg-apos}}{{tone superscript|ü1}}|{{tone superscript|(Hsiang1-kang3 T}}{{wg-apos}}{{tone superscript|e4-ch}}{{wg-apos}}{{tone superscript|ü1)}}}} | p2 = {{unbulleted list|Xiānggǎng Tèbié Xíngzhèngqū|(Xiānggǎng Tèqū)}} | gr2 = {{unbulleted list|Shianggaang Tehbye Shyngjenqchiu|(Shianggaang Tehchiu)}} | bpmf2 = {{unbulleted list|ㄒㄧㄤ   ㄍㄤˇ|ㄊㄜˋ   ㄅㄧㄝˊ|ㄒㄧㄥˊ   ㄓㄥˋ   ㄑㄩ|(ㄒㄧㄤ   ㄍㄤˇ   ㄊㄜˋ   ㄑㄩ)}} | myr2 = {{unbulleted list|Syānggǎng Tèbyé Syíngjèngchyū|(Syānggǎng Tèchyū)}} | mi2 = {{unbulleted list|{{IPAc-cmn|x|iang|1|.|g|ang|3|-|t|e|4|.|b|ie|2|-|x|ing|2|.|zh|eng|4|.|qu|1|}}|({{IPAc-cmn|x|iang|1|.|g|ang|3|-|t|e|4|.|q|u|1|}})}} | wgn2 = {{unbulleted list|{{tone superscript|shian1 kaon3 deq8 biq8 yin2 tsen5 chiu1}}|({{tone superscript|shian1 kaon3 deq8 chiu1}})}} | wi2 = {{unbulleted list|{{IPA|wuu|ɕiã˥ kɑ̃˧ dəʔ˩ biɪʔ˨ ɦin˩ tsən˦ tɕy˩|label=Shanghainese:}}|{{IPA|wuu|ɕiã˥ kɑ̃˧ dəʔ˩ tɕy˦|label=Shanghainese:}}}} | poj2 = {{unbulleted list|Hiong-káng Te̍k-⁠pia̍t Hêng-⁠chèng-⁠khu|(Hiong-káng Te̍k-khu)}} | showflag = jy }}

The name of the territory, first romanised as "He-Ong-Kong" in 1780,<ref>{{harvnb|Empson|1992|p=94}}.</ref> originally referred to a small inlet located between Aberdeen Island and the southern coast of Hong Kong Island. Aberdeen was an initial point of contact between British sailors and local fishermen.<ref>{{harvnb|Bishop|Roberts|1997|p=218}}.</ref> Although the source of the romanised name is unknown, it is generally believed to be an early phonetic rendering of the Cantonese (or Tanka Cantonese) phrase ''hēung góng''. The name translates as "fragrant harbour" or "incense harbour".<ref name="HerbariumName">{{cite web |url=http://www.herbarium.gov.hk/SpecialTopicsDetails.aspx?oneId=10&SectionId=1 |title=Aquilaria sinensis and origin of the name of Hong Kong |publisher=Hong Kong Herbarium |access-date=21 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201040456/http://www.herbarium.gov.hk/SpecialTopicsDetails.aspx?oneId=10&SectionId=1 |archive-date=1 December 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="CarrollHKName" /><ref name="etym">{{harvnb|Room|2005|p=168}}.</ref> "Fragrant" may refer to the sweet taste of the harbour's freshwater influx from the Pearl River or to the odour from incense factories lining the coast of northern Kowloon. The incense was stored near Aberdeen Harbour for export before Victoria Harbour was developed.<ref name="etym" /> Sir John Davis (the second colonial governor) offered an alternative origin; Davis said that the name derived from "Hoong-keang" ("red torrent"), reflecting the colour of soil over which a waterfall on the island flowed.<ref>{{harvnb|Davis|1841|p=6}}.</ref>

The simplified name ''Hong Kong'' was frequently used by 1810.<ref>{{harvnb|Empson|1992|p=96}}.</ref> The name was also commonly written as the single word ''Hongkong'' until 1926, when the government officially adopted the two-word name.<ref>{{harvnb|Hong Kong Government Gazette|1926}}, No. 479.</ref> Some corporations founded during the early colonial era still keep this name, including Hongkong Land, Hongkong Electric Company, Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, and the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC).<ref>{{harvnb|HSH Annual Report|2017|p=6}}.</ref><ref name="HSBC">{{harvnb|HSBC Annual Report|2011|p=2}}.</ref>

==History== {{Main|History of Hong Kong}}

===Prehistory and Imperial China=== The earliest known human traces in what is now called Hong Kong are dated by some to 35,000-39,000 years ago during the Paleolithic period. The claim is based on an archaeological investigation in Wong Tei Tung in the Sai Kung Peninsula in 2003. The archaeological works revealed knapped stone tools from deposits dated by optical luminescence dating.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Davis|first1=Vin|last2=Ixer|first2=Rob|date=2009|title=The Petrology of the Wong Tei Tung Stone Tool Manufacturing Site, Sham Chung, Hong Kong Sar, China|url=http://intarch.ac.uk/journal/issue26/davisixer_index.html|journal=Internet Archaeology|issue=26|doi=10.11141/ia.26.8|access-date=8 June 2020|archive-date=26 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326063250/https://intarch.ac.uk/journal/issue26/davisixer_index.html|url-status=live| issn = 1363-5387|url-access=subscription}}</ref>

During the Middle Neolithic period, about 6,000 years ago, the region had been widely occupied by humans.<ref name="Meacham2">{{harvnb|Meacham|1999|p=2}}.</ref> Neolithic to Bronze Age Hong Kong settlers were semi-coastal people. Early inhabitants are believed to have been Austronesians in the Middle Neolithic period, and later the Yue people.<ref name="Meacham2" /> As hinted by the archaeological works in Sha Ha, Sai Kung, rice cultivation had been introduced since the Late Neolithic period.<ref name="Li38">{{harvnb|Li|2012|p=38}}.</ref> Bronze Age Hong Kong featured coarse pottery, hard pottery, quartz and stone jewelry, as well as small bronze implements.<ref name="Meacham2" />

[[File:Sung Wong Toi.jpg|thumb|left|Sung Wong Toi]] The Qin dynasty incorporated the Hong Kong area into China for the first time in 214 BCE, after conquering the indigenous Baiyue.<ref>{{harvnb|Ban|Ban|Ban|111}}.</ref> The region was consolidated under the Nanyue kingdom (a predecessor state of Vietnam) after the Qin collapse,<ref name="KeatGinOoi">{{harvnb|Keat|2004|p=932}}.</ref> and it was recaptured by China after the Han conquest.<ref>{{harvnb|Carroll|2007|p=9}}.</ref> During the Mongol conquest of China in the 13th century, the southern Song court was briefly located in modern-day Kowloon City (the Sung Wong Toi site) before its final defeat in the 1279 Battle of Yamen by the Yuan dynasty.<ref name="Barber">{{harvnb|Barber|2004|p=48}}.</ref> By the end of the Yuan dynasty, seven large families had settled in the region and owned most of the land. Settlers from nearby provinces migrated to Kowloon throughout the Ming dynasty.<ref>{{harvnb|Carroll|2007|p=10}}.</ref>

The earliest known European visitor was Portuguese explorer Jorge Álvares, who arrived in 1513.<ref>{{harvnb|Porter|1996|p=63}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Edmonds|2002|p=1}}</ref> Portuguese merchants established a trading post called Tamão in Hong Kong waters and began regular trade with southern China. Although the traders were expelled after military clashes in the 1520s,<ref>{{harvnb|von Glahn|1996|p=116}}.</ref> Portuguese-Chinese trade relations were re-established by 1549. Portugal acquired a permanent lease for Macau in 1887.<ref>{{harvnb|Wills|1998|pp=342–344}}.</ref>

After the Qing conquest, maritime trade was banned under the ''Haijin'' policies. From 1661 to 1683, the population of most of the area that forms present-day Hong Kong was cleared under the Great Clearance, turning the region into a wasteland.<ref name="HK story">{{Cite web|url=http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/Museum/History/download/the_hk_story_exhibition_materials_e.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090418213756/http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/Museum/History/download/the_hk_story_exhibition_materials_e.pdf|url-status=dead|title=Hong Kong Museum of History: "The Hong Kong Story" Exhibition Materials|archive-date=18 April 2009}}</ref> The Kangxi Emperor lifted the maritime trade prohibition, allowing foreigners to enter Chinese ports in 1684.<ref>{{harvnb|Zhihong|2006|pp=8–9}}.</ref> Qing authorities established the Canton System in 1757 to regulate trade more strictly, restricting non-Russian ships to the port of Canton.<ref>{{harvnb|Schottenhammer|2007|p=33}}.</ref> Although European demand for Chinese commodities like tea, silk, and porcelain was high, Chinese interest in European manufactured goods was insignificant, so that Chinese goods could only be bought with precious metals. To reduce the trade imbalance, the British sold large amounts of Indian opium to China. Faced with a drug crisis, Qing officials pursued ever more aggressive actions to halt the opium trade.<ref>{{harvnb|Chen|2011}}.</ref>

===British colony=== {{Main|British Hong Kong}}

[[File:Hong Kong 1868.jpg|thumb|left|Hong Kong in 1868, photograph by John Thomson]]

In 1839, the Daoguang Emperor rejected proposals to legalise and tax opium and ordered imperial commissioner Lin Zexu to eradicate the opium trade. The commissioner destroyed opium stockpiles and halted all foreign trade,<ref>{{harvnb|Hoe|Roebuck|1999|pp=82, 87}}.</ref> triggering a British military response and the First Opium War. The Qing surrendered early in the war and ceded Hong Kong Island in the Convention of Chuenpi, signed by Charles Elliot and Qishan. British forces began controlling Hong Kong shortly after the signing of the convention, on 26 January 1841.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.yearbook.gov.hk/2003/english/chapter21/21_02.html|title=Hong Kong 2003 – History|website=www.yearbook.gov.hk|access-date=26 June 2021|archive-date=25 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181025152631/https://www.yearbook.gov.hk/2003/english/chapter21/21_02.html|url-status=live}}</ref> However, both countries were dissatisfied and did not ratify the agreement.<ref>{{harvnb|Tsang|2007|p=12}}.</ref> After more than a year of further hostilities, Hong Kong Island was formally ceded to the United Kingdom in the 1842 Treaty of Nanking.<ref name="Courtauld">{{harvnb|Courtauld|Holdsworth|Vickers|1997|pp=38–58}}</ref>

Administrative infrastructure was quickly built by early 1842, but piracy, disease, and hostile Qing policies initially prevented the government from attracting commerce. Conditions on the island improved during the Taiping Rebellion in the 1850s, when many Chinese refugees, including wealthy merchants, fled mainland turbulence and settled in the colony.<ref name="CarrollEarlyHistory" /> Further tensions between the British and Qing over the opium trade escalated into the Second Opium War. The Qing were again defeated and forced to give up Kowloon Peninsula and Stonecutters Island in the Convention of Peking.<ref name="SecondOpiumWar">{{harvnb|Carroll|2007|pp=21–24}}.</ref> By the end of this war, Hong Kong had evolved from a transient colonial outpost into a major entrepôt. Rapid economic improvement during the 1850s attracted foreign investment, as potential stakeholders became more confident in Hong Kong's future.<ref>{{harvnb|Carroll|2007|p=30}}.</ref>

The colony was further expanded in 1898 when the United Kingdom obtained a 99-year lease of the New Territories.<ref name="NTLease">{{harvnb|Scott|1989|p=6}}.</ref> The University of Hong Kong was established in 1911 as the territory's first institution of higher education.<ref>{{harvnb|Chu|2005|p=90}}.</ref> Kai Tak Airport began operation in 1924, and the colony avoided a prolonged economic downturn after the 1925–26 Canton–Hong Kong strike.<ref name="KaiTak">{{harvnb|Wordie|2007|p=243}}.</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Carroll|2007|p=103}}.</ref> At the start of the Second Sino-Japanese War in 1937, Governor Geoffry Northcote declared Hong Kong a neutral zone to safeguard its status as a free port.<ref>{{harvnb|Yanne|Heller|2009|p=71}}.</ref> The colonial government prepared for a possible attack, evacuating all British women and children in 1940.<ref>{{harvnb|Snow|2003|p=43}}.</ref> The Imperial Japanese Army attacked Hong Kong on 8 December 1941, the same morning as its attack on Pearl Harbor.<ref>{{harvnb|Snow|2003|pp=53–73}}.</ref> Hong Kong was occupied by Japan for almost four years before the British resumed control on 30 August 1945.<ref>{{harvnb|Kwong|2015}}.</ref>

[[File:Flag of Hong Kong 1959.svg|thumb|right|The flag of British Hong Kong from 1959 to 1997]] [[File:578a Hong Kong 1971 (51321892645).jpg|thumb|left|Peking Road in Tsim Sha Tsui in 1971]] Its population rebounded quickly after the war, as skilled Chinese migrants fled from the Chinese Civil War and more refugees crossed the border when the Chinese Communist Party took control of mainland China in 1949.<ref name="Wiltshire">{{harvnb|Wiltshire|1997|p=148}}.</ref> Hong Kong became the first of the Four Asian Tiger economies to industrialise during the 1950s.<ref>{{harvnb|Buckley|1997|pp=64, 92}}.</ref> With a rapidly increasing population, the colonial government attempted reforms to improve infrastructure and public services. The public-housing estate programme, Independent Commission Against Corruption, and Mass Transit Railway were all established during the post-war decades to provide safer housing, integrity in the civil service, and more reliable transportation.<ref>{{harvnb|Carroll|2007|pp=145, 174–175}}.</ref><ref>{{cite AV media | people=Forsyth, Neil (Director) |year=1990 | title=Underground Pride | medium=Motion picture | location=Hong Kong | publisher=MTR Corporation}}</ref>

Nevertheless, widespread public discontent led to multiple protests from the 1950s to 1980s, including pro-Republic of China and pro-Chinese Communist Party demonstrations. In the 1967 Hong Kong riots, pro-PRC protestors clashed with the British colonial government. As many as 51 were killed, and 802 were injured in the violence, including dozens killed by the Royal Hong Kong Police via beatings and shootings.<ref>Chu, Yingchi (2003). Hong Kong Cinema: Coloniser, Motherland and Self! Routledge Publishing. {{ISBN|0-7007-1746-3}}.</ref>

Although the territory's manufacturing competitiveness gradually declined due to rising labour and property costs, it transitioned to a service-based economy. By the early 1990s, Hong Kong had established itself as a global financial centre and shipping hub.<ref>{{harvnb|Dodsworth|Mihaljek|1997|p=54}}.</ref>

===Chinese special administrative region=== {{Further|Handover of Hong Kong}} [[File:Avenue of Stars, Hong Kong (2052819038).jpg|thumb|Victoria Harbour and Hong Kong Island, 2007]]

The colony faced an uncertain future as the end of the New Territories lease approached, and Governor Murray MacLehose raised the question of Hong Kong's status with Deng Xiaoping in 1979.<ref>{{harvnb|Carroll|2007|pp=176–178}}.</ref> Diplomatic negotiations with China resulted in the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration, in which the United Kingdom agreed to the handover of the colony in 1997, and China would guarantee Hong Kong's economic and political systems for 50 years after the handover.<ref name="Carroll181">{{harvnb|Carroll|2007|p=181}}.</ref> The impending handover triggered a wave of mass emigration as residents feared an erosion of civil rights, the rule of law, and quality of life.<ref>{{harvnb|Wong|1992|p=9}}.</ref> Over half a million people left the territory during the peak migration period, from 1987 to 1996.<ref name="2002Pop">{{harvnb|Population Policy Report|2002|pp=27–28}}</ref> The Legislative Council became a fully elected legislature for the first time in 1995. It extensively expanded its functions and organisations throughout the last years of the colonial rule.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gargan |first1=Edward A. |title=Pro-China Party Appears Big Loser in Hong Kong Election |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/09/18/world/pro-china-party-appears-big-loser-in-hong-kong-election.html |work=The New York Times |date=18 September 1995 |access-date=20 November 2020 |archive-date=8 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508195434/https://www.nytimes.com/1995/09/18/world/pro-china-party-appears-big-loser-in-hong-kong-election.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The handover of Hong Kong to China was at midnight on 1 July 1997, after 156 years of British rule.<ref name="NYTHandover">{{harvnb|Gargan|1997}}.</ref>

Immediately after the handover, Hong Kong was severely affected by several crises. The Hong Kong government was forced to use substantial foreign exchange reserves to maintain the Hong Kong dollar's currency peg during the 1997 Asian financial crisis,<ref name="Wiltshire" /> and the recovery from this was muted by an H5N1 avian-flu outbreak<ref>{{harvnb|Carroll|2007|p=218}}</ref> and a housing surplus.<ref>{{harvnb|Cheung|Ho|2013}}.</ref> This was followed by the 2003 SARS epidemic, during which the territory experienced its most serious economic downturn.<ref>{{harvnb|Lee|2006|pp=63–70}}.</ref>

Chinese communists portrayed the return of Hong Kong as a key moment in the PRC's rise to great power status.<ref name=":172">{{Cite book |last=Crean |first=Jeffrey |title=The Fear of Chinese Power: an International History |date=2024 |publisher=Bloomsbury Academic |isbn=978-1-350-23394-2 |edition= |series=New Approaches to International History series |location=London, UK}}</ref>{{Rp|page=51}}

[[File:Hong Kong anti-extradition bill protest (48108527758).jpg|thumb|Hong Kong protests, August 2019]]

Political debates after the handover have centred around the region's democratic development and the Chinese central government's adherence to the "one country, two systems" principle. After reversal of the last colonial era Legislative Council democratic reforms following the handover,<ref>{{harvnb|Carroll|2007|p=200}}.</ref> the regional government unsuccessfully attempted to enact national security legislation pursuant to Article 23 of the Basic Law.<ref>{{harvnb|Carroll|2007|pp=226, 233}}.</ref> The central government decision to implement nominee pre-screening before allowing chief executive elections triggered a series of protests in 2014 which became known as the Umbrella Revolution.<ref>{{harvnb|Kaiman|2014}}.</ref> Discrepancies in the electoral registry and disqualification of elected legislators after the 2016 Legislative Council elections<ref>{{harvnb|Bland|2016}}.</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Haas|2017}}.</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Huang|2016}}.</ref> and enforcement of national law in the West Kowloon high-speed railway station raised further concerns about the region's autonomy.<ref>{{harvnb|Siu|Chung|2017}}.</ref> In June 2019, mass protests erupted in response to a proposed extradition amendment bill permitting the extradition of fugitives to mainland China. The protests are the largest in Hong Kong's history,<ref name="EconomistRestoreCalm">{{harvnb|"To restore calm in Hong Kong, try democracy", ''The Economist''}}</ref> with organisers claiming to have attracted more than three million Hong Kong residents.

====Following the 2019 protests==== thumb|A tram with slogans promoting the National Security Law printed on it

The Hong Kong regional government and the Chinese central government responded to the protests with many administrative measures to quell dissent. In June 2020, the Legislative Council passed the National Anthem Ordinance, which criminalised "insults to the national anthem of China".<ref>{{cite web |title=CE signs National Anthem Ordinance (with photos) |url=https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202006/11/P2020061100793.htm |website=HKSAR Government Press Releases |access-date=12 June 2020 |archive-date=12 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612041953/https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202006/11/P2020061100793.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> The Chinese central government meanwhile enacted the Hong Kong national security law to help quell protests in the region.<ref name="cnn20200630">{{cite web|last=Regan|first=Helen|date=29 June 2020|title=China passes sweeping Hong Kong national security law: report|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/29/china/hong-kong-national-security-law-passed-intl-hnk/index.html|access-date=29 June 2020|publisher=CNN|archive-date=1 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200701113134/https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/29/china/hong-kong-national-security-law-passed-intl-hnk/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Nine months later, in March 2021, the Chinese central government introduced amendments to Hong Kong's electoral system, which included the reduction of directly elected seats in the Legislative Council and the requirement that all candidates be vetted and approved by a Beijing-appointed Candidate Eligibility Review Committee.<ref name="france2420210311">{{cite news |date=11 March 2021 |title=China approves plan to veto Hong Kong election candidates |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210311-china-approves-plan-to-veto-hong-kong-election-candidates |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210312063804/https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210311-china-approves-plan-to-veto-hong-kong-election-candidates |archive-date=12 March 2021 |access-date=6 September 2022 |work=France 24}}</ref>

In July 2023, Hong Kong's Legislative Council passed reforms slashing directly elected District Council seats and establishing a vetting committee for candidates.<ref name="dc2023_freepress01">{{cite news|url=https://hongkongfp.com/2023/07/06/hong-kong-cuts-directly-elected-district-council-seats-as-overhaul-unanimously-approved/|title=Hong Kong cuts directly elected District Council seats as overhaul unanimously approved|publisher=Hong Kong Free Press|date=6 July 2023}}</ref><ref name="dc2023_gld01">{{cite web|url=https://www.gld.gov.hk/egazette/pdf/20232745e/egn2023274569.pdf|title=Ordinance passed and promulgated|publisher=Hong Kong Government Gazette|date=10 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230710090226/https://www.gld.gov.hk/egazette/pdf/20232745e/egn2023274569.pdf|archive-date=10 July 2023|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="dc2023_gld02">{{cite web|url=https://www.gld.gov.hk/egazette/pdf/20232745e/es12023274519.pdf|title=District Councils (Amendment) Ordinance 2023—Ordinance No. 19 of 2023|publisher=Hong Kong Government Gazette|date=10 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230710090315/https://www.gld.gov.hk/egazette/pdf/20232745e/es12023274519.pdf|archive-date=10 July 2023|url-status=live}}</ref>

In terms of international connectedness, as of 2024, the city was one of eight worldwide that was classified as an "Alpha+" city by the Globalization and World Cities Research Network.<ref>{{Cite web |title=World Cities 2024 |date=2024 |url=https://gawc.lboro.ac.uk/gawc-worlds/the-world-according-to-gawc/world-cities-2024/ |access-date=2025-07-08 |website=Globalization & World Cities |publisher=Loughborough University |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Government and politics== {{Main|Government of Hong Kong|Politics of Hong Kong|Elections in Hong Kong|Separation of powers in Hong Kong}}

[[File:Legco_Complex_Chamber_20240420.jpg|thumb|alt=Large, round room with desks and a dais|Since 2012, the legislature has met in the Tamar Legislative Council Complex.]]

Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China, with executive, legislative, and judicial powers devolved from the national government.<ref>{{harvnb|Tam|Chan|Choi Kwan|Leung|2012|p=80}}</ref> The Sino-British Joint Declaration provided for economic and administrative continuity through the handover,<ref name="Carroll181" /> resulting in an executive-led governing system largely inherited from the territory's history as a British colony.<ref name="BasicLaw15">{{harvnb|Tam|Chan|Choi Kwan|Leung|2012|pp=66, 80–81}}</ref> Under these terms and the "one country, two systems" principle, the Basic Law of Hong Kong is the regional constitution.<ref>{{harvnb|''Ng Ka Ling and Another v the Director of Immigration''}}</ref> The regional government is composed of three branches: * ''Executive:'' As Hong Kong operates under an executive-led system, the Chief Executive is responsible for enforcing regional law,<ref name="BasicLaw15" /> can force reconsideration of legislation,<ref>{{harvnb|Tam|Chan|Choi Kwan|Leung|2012|p=77}}</ref> and appoints Executive Council members and principal officials.<ref>{{harvnb|Young|Cullen|2010|p=39}}.</ref> Acting with the Executive Council, the Chief Executive-in-Council can propose new bills, issue subordinate legislation, and has authority to dissolve the legislature.<ref>{{harvnb|Adaptation of Laws Guidelines|1998|p=7}}</ref> In states of emergency or public danger, the Chief Executive-in-Council is further empowered to enact any regulation necessary to restore public order.<ref>{{harvnb|Emergency Regulations Ordinance}}.</ref> * ''Legislature:'' The unicameral Legislative Council enacts regional law, approves budgets, and has the power to impeach a sitting chief executive.<ref>{{harvnb|Tam|Chan|Choi Kwan|Leung|2012|p=73}}</ref> * ''Judiciary:'' The Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal and lower courts interpret laws and overturn those inconsistent with the Basic Law.<ref name="Gittings150">{{harvnb|Gittings|2009|p=150}}.</ref> The chief executive appoints judges on the advice of a recommendation commission.<ref>{{harvnb|Gittings|2009|p=153}}.</ref>

The chief executive is the head of government and serves for a maximum of two five-year terms, however in practice no chief executive has ever completed the maximum two five-year term limit.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hamlett |first=Tim |title=Do HK's ex-chief executives really all need expensive offices? |url=https://hongkongfp.com/2024/10/12/hail-to-the-hong-kongs-former-chief-executives-but-do-they-really-all-need-expensive-offices/ |access-date=2026-02-28 |website=hongkongfp.com |language=en-GB}}</ref> The State Council (led by the Premier of China) appoints the chief executive after nomination by the Election Committee, which is composed of 1500 business, community, and government leaders.<ref>{{harvnb|Young|Cullen|2010|pp=13–16}}.</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Basic Law Chapter IV}} Article 45.</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Amendment to the Basic Law Annex I}}</ref> thumb|Hong Kong Government House The Legislative Council has 90 members, each serving a four-year term. Twenty are directly elected from geographical constituencies, thirty represent functional constituencies (FC), and forty are chosen by an election committee consisting of representatives appointed by the Chinese central government.<ref name="overhaul_HK">{{cite news|title=China moves to overhaul Hong Kong politics, squeezing democratic opposition|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-parliament-hongkong/chinas-parliament-moves-to-overhaul-hong-kongs-electoral-system-idUSKBN2B30RC|date=11 March 2021|work=Reuters|access-date=6 September 2022|archive-date=12 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210312063854/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-parliament-hongkong/chinas-parliament-moves-to-overhaul-hong-kongs-electoral-system-idUSKBN2B30RC|url-status=live}}</ref> Thirty FC councillors are selected from limited electorates representing sectors of the economy or special interest groups.<ref name="LegCoVoting">{{harvnb|Guidelines on the Legislative Council Election|2016|pp=3–4}}</ref> Geographical constituency elected members are chosen by single non-transferable vote (SNTV), yielding two candidates per GC. The 30 limited electorate functional constituencies fill their seats using first-past-the-post or instant-runoff voting.<ref name="LegCoVoting" />

Twenty-two political parties had representatives elected to the Legislative Council in the 2016 election.<ref>{{harvnb|LegCo and DC Member Political Affiliations|2017}}</ref> These parties have aligned themselves into three ideological groups: the pro-Beijing camp (the current government), the pro-democracy camp, and localist groups.<ref>{{harvnb|Bush|Whelan-Wuest|2017}}.</ref> However, by 2021, the pro-democracy camp and the localist groups lost all representation in the Legislative Council as a result of the 2021 electoral changes imposed by the National People's Congress,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-12-20 |title=Hong Kong: Pro-Beijing candidates sweep controversial LegCo election |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-59717343 |access-date=2026-02-28 |website=www.bbc.com |language=en-GB}}</ref> and since 2025 all 90 members of the Legislative Council have been from the pro-Beijing camp. The Chinese Communist Party does not have an official political presence in Hong Kong, and its members do not run in local elections.<ref>{{harvnb|Sala|2016}}.</ref> Hong Kong is represented in the National People's Congress by 36 deputies chosen through an electoral college and 203 delegates in the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference appointed by the central government.<ref name="NationalReps">{{harvnb|Cheung|2017}}.</ref>

[[File: Court of Final Appeal Building.jpg|alt=The grey dome and front gable of a granite neo-classical building, with a skyscraper in the background against a clear blue sky|left|thumb|The Court of Final Appeal Building formerly housed the Supreme Court and the Legislative Council.]] There are major differences between Hong Kong's legal system and the rest of China's.<ref name="Gittings150" /> Its judicial system is based on common law, continuing the legal tradition established during British rule.<ref>{{harvnb|Tam|Chan|Choi Kwan|Leung|2012|pp=80–81}}</ref> Local courts may refer to precedents set in English law and overseas jurisprudence.<ref>{{harvnb|Gittings|2009|p=148}}.</ref> However, mainland criminal procedure law applies to cases investigated by the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the CPG in the HKSAR.<ref name="NPC Observer">{{cite web |title=Legislation Summary: Hong Kong National Security Law |url=https://npcobserver.com/2020/06/30/legislation-summary-hong-kong-national-security-law/ |website=NPC Observer |date=30 June 2020 |access-date=2 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200702162405/https://npcobserver.com/2020/06/30/legislation-summary-hong-kong-national-security-law/ |archive-date=2 July 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> Interpretative and amending power over the Basic Law and jurisdiction over acts of state lie with the central authority, making regional courts ultimately subordinate to the mainland's socialist civil law system.<ref>{{harvnb|Jordan|1997|p=335}}.</ref> Decisions made by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress override any territorial judicial process.<ref name="HCAL185/2016">{{harvnb|''Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Another v the President of the Legislative Council''}}</ref> Furthermore, in circumstances where the Standing Committee declares a state of emergency in Hong Kong, the State Council may enforce national law in the region.<ref name="BasicLawA18">{{harvnb|Basic Law Chapter II}} Article 18.</ref>

The territory's jurisdictional independence is most apparent in its immigration and taxation policies. The Immigration Department issues passports for permanent residents which differ from those of the mainland or Macau,<ref>{{harvnb|Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Passports Ordinance}}</ref> and the region maintains a regulated border with the rest of the country. All travellers between Hong Kong, mainland China, and Macau must pass through border controls, regardless of nationality.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/contactus/control_points.html |title=Control Point Locations |publisher=Immigration Department |access-date=18 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171122092430/http://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/contactus/control_points.html |archive-date=22 November 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> Mainland Chinese residents do not have right of abode in Hong Kong and are subject to immigration controls.<ref>{{harvnb|Basic Law Chapter II}} Article 22.</ref> Public finances are handled separately from the national government and taxes levied in Hong Kong do not fund the central authority.<ref>{{harvnb|Basic Law Chapter V}} Article 106.</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Public Finance Facts|2018}}.</ref>

The Hong Kong Garrison of the People's Liberation Army is responsible for the region's defence.<ref>{{harvnb|Lendon|2017}}.</ref> Although the Chairman of the Central Military Commission is supreme commander of the armed forces,<ref>{{harvnb|Constitution of the People's Republic of China}} Chapter 3 § 4 (93).</ref> the regional government may request assistance from the garrison.<ref>{{harvnb|Basic Law Chapter II}} Article 14.</ref> Hong Kong residents are not required to perform military service, and current law has no provision for local enlistment. The garrison is composed entirely of non-Hongkongers.<ref>{{harvnb|Mok|Lee|2015}}.</ref>

The central government and Ministry of Foreign Affairs handle diplomatic matters, but Hong Kong retains the ability to maintain separate economic and cultural relations with foreign nations.<ref>{{harvnb|Basic Law Chapter VII}} Article 152.</ref> The territory actively participates in the World Trade Organization, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, the International Olympic Committee, and many United Nations agencies.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.unicef.org.hk/en/ |title=Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF |publisher=UNICEF |access-date=27 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171228171638/https://www.unicef.org.hk/en/ |archive-date=28 December 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.unhcr.org/hk/en/ |title=UNHCR Hong Kong |publisher=United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees |access-date=27 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171228054213/http://www.unhcr.org/hk/en/ |archive-date=28 December 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.doj.gov.hk/eng/laws/interlaw.html |title=List of Treaties in Force and Applicable to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region |publisher=Department of Justice |date=25 October 2017 |access-date=27 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171228054117/http://www.doj.gov.hk/eng/laws/interlaw.html |archive-date=28 December 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> The regional government maintains trade offices in Greater China and other nations.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gov.hk/en/about/govdirectory/oohk.htm |title=Offices Outside Hong Kong |publisher=Hong Kong Government |access-date=18 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614040108/https://www.gov.hk/en/about/govdirectory/oohk.htm |archive-date=14 June 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The imposition of the Hong Kong national security law by the central government in Beijing in June 2020 resulted in the suspension of bilateral extradition treaties by the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Finland, and Ireland.<ref name=rgmsus/> The United States ended its preferential economic and trade treatment of Hong Kong in July 2020 because it was no longer able to distinguish Hong Kong as a separate entity from the People's Republic of China.<ref name="rgmsus">{{cite news |title=Ireland suspends its extradition treaty with Hong Kong |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-ireland-suspends-its-extradition-treaty-with-hong-kong/ |agency=Reuters |publisher=The Globe and Mail Inc |date=23 October 2020 |access-date=23 October 2020 |archive-date=23 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023235610/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-ireland-suspends-its-extradition-treaty-with-hong-kong/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="bbcpref">{{cite news |title=Trump ends preferential economic treatment for Hong Kong |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-53412598 |publisher=BBC |date=15 July 2020 |access-date=23 October 2020 |archive-date=17 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117140801/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-53412598 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2024, the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance was passed by the Legislative Council to grant officials the power to prosecute crimes such as treason and insurrection. Critics state that this expansion will give more powers to crack down on opposition to the central government of China and the Hong Kong government as well as strike a lasting blow to the partial autonomy China had promised the city in the Sino-British Joint Declaration.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-20 |title=Hong Kong Adopts Sweeping Security Laws, Bowing to Beijing |website=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/19/world/asia/hong-kong-security-law-article-23.html |access-date=2024-03-21 |archive-date=20 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240320033023/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/19/world/asia/hong-kong-security-law-article-23.html |url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Administrative divisions=== {{Main|Areas of Hong Kong|Districts of Hong Kong|List of towns in Hong Kong}}

Hong Kong's administrative divisions are divided into three levels: Areas (區域), districts (地區), and sub-districts (分區).<ref name=":12">{{Cite web |title=各區域及地區 Areas and Districts |url=https://www.rvd.gov.hk/doc/tc/hkpr15/06.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220424161628/https://www.rvd.gov.hk/doc/tc/hkpr15/06.pdf |archive-date=2022-04-24 |access-date=2024-09-01 |website=Rating and Valuation Department, Government of Hong Kong}}</ref> Hong Kong is administratively divided into three areas: Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, and the New Territories. They are further divided into 18 districts. The area of Hong Kong Island has four districts, the area of Kowloon has five districts, and the area of the New Territories has nine districts.<ref name=":12" /><ref name=":02">{{Cite web |title=Home Affairs Department – My Districts |url=https://www.had.gov.hk/en/18_districts/my_map.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240901161227/https://www.had.gov.hk/en/18_districts/my_map.htm |archive-date=2024-09-01 |access-date=2024-09-01 |website=Home Affairs Department, Government of Hong Kong}}</ref> Each district is represented by a district council. The district councils advise the government on local issues such as the provision of public facilities, the maintenance of community programmes, cultural promotion, and environmental policy.<ref name="district">{{harvnb|District Administration Facts|2016}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{harvnb|District Councils Ordinance}}.</ref><ref name="dc2023_gld01" />

{{As of|2024|post=,}} there are a total of 470 district council seats, 88 of which are directly elected.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2023 District Council Ordinary Election – Election Brief |url=https://www.elections.gov.hk/dc2023/eng/ebrief.html#6 |access-date=2024-10-15 |website=www.elections.gov.hk}}</ref> In May 2023, the government proposed reforms to the District Council electoral system which significantly cut the number of directly elected seats from 452 to 88, and total seats from 479 to 470. A requirement that district council candidates be vetted and approved by the District Council Eligibility Review Committee was also implemented. The Legislative Council approved the reforms in July 2023.<ref name="dc2023_freepress01" /><ref name="dc2023_gld01" /><ref name="dc2023_gld02" />

===Political reforms and sociopolitical issues=== {{Main|Democratic development in Hong Kong|Human rights in Hong Kong}}

[[File:A new banner on the lion rock -umbrellarevolution -umbrellamovement -occupyhk -occupyhongkong (16134715622).jpg|thumb|A yellow vertical protest banner which read "We demand real universal suffrage" was hung on Lion Rock during the 2014 Hong Kong protests.]]

Hong Kong is governed by a hybrid regime that is not fully representative of the population. Legislative Council members elected by functional constituencies composed of professional and special-interest groups are accountable to narrow corporate electorates rather than the general public. This electoral arrangement has ensured a pro-Beijing majority in the legislature since the handover. Similarly, the chief executive is selected by establishment politicians and corporate members of the Election Committee rather than directly elected.<ref name="hybridregime">{{harvnb|Cheng|2016|p=387}}.</ref> Despite universal suffrage being established as ultimate goals for the election of the chief executive and all members of the Legislative Council in Articles 45 and 68 of the basic law,<ref>{{harvnb|Basic Law Chapter IV}} Articles 45, 68.</ref> the legislature is only partially directly elected, and the executive continues to be nominated by an unrepresentative body.<ref name="hybridregime" /> The government has been repeatedly petitioned to introduce direct elections for these positions, but has not introduced these direct elections as of 2026.<ref>{{harvnb|Wong|Lim|2017}}.</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Ming|2006}}.</ref>

Ethnic minorities (except those of European ancestry) have marginal representation in government and often experience discrimination in housing, education, and employment.<ref>{{harvnb|Ngo|Cheung|2016}}.</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Zhao|2015}}.</ref> Employment vacancies and public service appointments frequently have language requirements that minority job seekers do not meet, and language education resources remain inadequate for Chinese learners.<ref>{{harvnb|Chao|2013}}.</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Lhatoo|2015}}.</ref> Foreign domestic helpers, mostly women from the Philippines and Indonesia, have little protection under regional law.<ref>{{cite web |last=Raquel Carvalho and Peace Chiu |date=25 February 2018 |title=Fed up with human trafficking, Hong Kong migrant workers hold vigil demanding justice |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-crime/article/2134591/fed-human-trafficking-hong-kong-migrant-workers-hold-vigil |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230428161445/https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-crime/article/2134591/fed-human-trafficking-hong-kong-migrant-workers-hold-vigil |archive-date=28 April 2023 |access-date=24 June 2020 |website=South China Morning Post}}</ref> Although they live and work in Hong Kong, these workers are not treated as ordinary residents and do not have the right of abode in the territory.<ref>{{harvnb|"Meanings of Right of Abode and Other Terms", Immigration Department}}</ref>

The Joint Declaration guarantees the Basic Law of Hong Kong for 50 years after the handover.<ref name="Carroll181" /> It does not specify how Hong Kong will be governed after 2047, and the central government's role in determining the territory's future system of government is the subject of political debate and speculation. Hong Kong's political and judicial systems may be integrated with China's at that time, or the territory may continue to be administered separately.<ref>{{harvnb|Cheung|2016}}.</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Cheung|2015}}.</ref> In response to large-scale protests in 2019 and 2020, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress passed the controversial Hong Kong national security law.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hernández |first1=Javier C. |title=Harsh Penalties, Vaguely Defined Crimes: Hong Kong's Security Law Explained |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/30/world/asia/hong-kong-security-law-explain.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200701032003/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/30/world/asia/hong-kong-security-law-explain.html |archive-date=1 July 2020 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |website=The New York Times |access-date=2 July 2020 |date=30 June 2020}}</ref> The law criminalises secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign elements and establishes the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the CPG in the HKSAR, an investigative office under Central People's Government authority immune from HKSAR jurisdiction. Some of the aforementioned acts were previously considered protected speech under Hong Kong law.<ref name="NPC Observer" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Hong Kong National Security Law Promulgated, Came into Effect June 30, 2020 |url=https://www.mofo.com/resources/insights/200701-hong-kong-national-security-law.html |website=Morrison & Foerster |access-date=2 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200702163941/https://www.mofo.com/resources/insights/200701-hong-kong-national-security-law.html |archive-date=2 July 2020 |date=1 July 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> The United Kingdom considers the law to be a serious violation of the Joint Declaration.<ref>{{cite web |last1=James |first1=William |title=UK says China's security law is serious violation of Hong Kong treaty |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-hongkong-protests-britain/uk-says-chinas-security-law-is-serious-violation-of-hong-kong-treaty-idUSKBN2425LL |website=Reuters |access-date=2 July 2020 |date=1 July 2020 |archive-date=2 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200702015311/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-hongkong-protests-britain/uk-says-chinas-security-law-is-serious-violation-of-hong-kong-treaty-idUSKBN2425LL |url-status=live }}</ref> In October 2020, the Hong Kong Police arrested seven pro-democracy politicians over tussles with pro-Beijing politicians in the Legislative Council in May. They were charged with contempt and with interfering with council members, while none of the pro-Beijing lawmakers were detained.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-54768209|title=Hong Kong pro-democracy politicians arrested|work=BBC News|date=November 2020|access-date=1 November 2020|archive-date=1 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101110236/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-54768209|url-status=live}}</ref> Annual commemorations of the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests and massacre were also cancelled amidst fears of violating the national security law.<ref>{{cite news |title=Hong Kong churches drop Tiananmen tributes after 33 years amid arrest fears |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/may/30/hong-kong-churches-drop-tiananmen-tributes-after-33-years-amid-arrest-fears |access-date=31 May 2022 |work=Agence France-Presse |via=The Guardian |date=30 May 2022 |language=en |archive-date=30 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530185147/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/may/30/hong-kong-churches-drop-tiananmen-tributes-after-33-years-amid-arrest-fears |url-status=live }}</ref> In March 2021, the Chinese central government changed Hong Kong's electoral system and established the Candidate Eligibility Review Committee, which would be tasked with screening and evaluating political candidates for their "patriotism", effectively crushing the remainder of the pro-democracy camp.<ref name="france2420210311"/>

In February 2024, Xia Baolong, the head of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, said that the "one country, two systems" principle would be kept permanently.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cheung |first=Ezra |last2=Lo |first2=Hoi-ying |last3=Wu |first3=Willa |date=2024-02-26 |title=Hong Kong governing principle to be permanent feature, top Beijing official says |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3253216/beijing-attaches-great-importance-hong-kong-countrys-global-finance-hub-xia-baolong-tells-local |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240327085901/https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3253216/beijing-attaches-great-importance-hong-kong-countrys-global-finance-hub-xia-baolong-tells-local |archive-date=2024-03-27 |access-date=2024-03-27 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en}}</ref>

==Geography== {{Main|Geography of Hong Kong}}

{{See also|Land reclamation in Hong Kong|Environment of Hong Kong}}

alt=Satellite image showing areas of vegetation and conurbation.|thumb|Areas of urban development and vegetation are visible in this satellite image.

Hong Kong is situated on China's southern coast, {{convert|60|km|mi|abbr=on}} east of Macau and on the eastern side of the Pearl River estuary. The territory is surrounded by the South China Sea on all sides except the north, where it neighbors the Guangdong city of Shenzhen along the Sham Chun River. Its standard area is approximately {{convert|1110|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}},<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Survey and Mapping Office – Circulars and Publications|url=https://www.landsd.gov.hk/mapping/en/publications/total.htm|access-date=9 March 2021|website=www.landsd.gov.hk|archive-date=8 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308210534/https://www.landsd.gov.hk/mapping/en/publications/total.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> though this figure reaches approximately {{convert|2750|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}2<ref name=":0" /> when the open maritime area under its jurisdiction (rather than of mainland China) is included. The territory consists of Hong Kong Island, the Kowloon Peninsula, the New Territories, Lantau Island, and over 200 other islands.

Of the standard area, {{convert|1073|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} is land and {{convert|35|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} is inland water, such as reservoirs, rivers, and ponds.<ref name="cia">{{cite web |title=Hong Kong |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/hong-kong/ |access-date=2 October 2018 |work=The World Factbook |publisher=Central Intelligence Agency |archive-date=10 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210610100924/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/hong-kong/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The territory's highest point is Tai Mo Shan, reaching {{convert|957|m|ft}} above sea level.<ref>{{harvnb|Owen|Shaw|2007|p=13}}.</ref> Urban development is primarily concentrated on the Kowloon Peninsula, Hong Kong Island, and within various new towns throughout the New Territories.<ref>{{harvnb|Population By-Census|2021|pp=34–35}}</ref> Much of this is built on reclaimed land; {{convert|70|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} (representing 6% of the total land or about 25% of the territory's developed space) has been reclaimed from the sea.<ref name="reclamation">{{harvnb|Land Policy Report|2017|p=1}}.</ref> thumb|260x260px|Twisted columnar jointing near the High Island Reservoir East Dam Undeveloped terrain is hilly to mountainous, with minimal flat land, and consists mostly of grassland, woodland, shrubland, or farmland.<ref>{{harvnb|Owen|Shaw|2007|p=2}}.</ref><ref>{{harvnb|"Land Use in Hong Kong 2017", Planning Department}}</ref> About 40% of the remaining land area is country parks and nature reserves.<ref>{{harvnb|Morton|Harper|1995|p=9}}.</ref> The territory has a diverse ecosystem; over 3,000 species of vascular plants occur in the region (300 of which are native to Hong Kong), and thousands of insect, avian, and marine species.<ref>{{harvnb|Hu|2003}}.</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gov.hk/en/residents/environment/conservation/naturalenvplantsanimals.htm |title=The Natural Environment, Plants & Animals in Hong Kong |publisher=Hong Kong Government |access-date=15 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115215525/https://www.gov.hk/en/residents/environment/conservation/naturalenvplantsanimals.htm |archive-date=15 November 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark was inaugurated on 3 November 2009. It is a single entity of land area over 150 km2 across parts of the eastern and northeastern New Territories.<ref>[http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/see-do/great-outdoors/nature-parks/hong-kong-unesco-global-geopark.jsp discoverhongkong.com : Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark]</ref> On 18 September 2011, UNESCO listed the geopark as part of its Global Geoparks Network.

The Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark consists of two geological regions:<ref>[http://www.geopark.gov.hk/publications/Geopark_Leaflet.pdf Geopark leaflet]</ref> * the Sai Kung Volcanic Rock Region, with its widely distributed tuff volcanic rocks displaying prismatic columnar jointing, which are of international geological significance * the Northeast New Territories Sedimentary Rock Region, which comprises sedimentary rocks formed in different geologic periods, showcasing the complete geological history of Hong Kong.

===Climate=== [[File:Hong Kong Observatory.jpg|thumb|291x291px|Hong Kong Observatory Headquarters]] Hong Kong has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen ''Cwa''), characteristic of southern China, closely bordering on a tropical monsoon climate. Summers are long, hot, and humid, with occasional showers and thunderstorms and warm air from the southwest. The humid climate of Hong Kong intensifies summer heat. Typhoons occur most often then, sometimes resulting in floods or landslides. Also rarely occurring are waterspouts and tornadoes, which occurred at Hong Kong International Airport on 26 September 2020 and at Victoria Harbour on 28 September 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-09-26 |title=Small tornado spotted at Hong Kong airport, but no damage reported |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3103172/small-tornado-spotted-hong-kong-airport-rare |access-date=2024-09-28 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-09-28 |title=Waterspout spotted over Hong Kong's Victoria Harbour for first time |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3280343/waterspout-spotted-over-hong-kongs-victoria-harbour-weather-forecaster |access-date=2024-09-28 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en}}</ref> Winters are short, mild and usually sunny at the beginning, becoming cloudy towards February. Frequent cold fronts bring strong, cooling winds from the north and occasionally result in chilly weather. Autumn is the sunniest season, whilst spring is generally cloudy.<ref name="HKClimate">{{cite web |url=http://www.hko.gov.hk/wxinfo/climat/climahk.htm |title=Climate of Hong Kong |publisher=Hong Kong Observatory |access-date=5 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170602080336/http://www.hko.gov.hk/wxinfo/climat/climahk.htm |archive-date=2 June 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> Snowfall has been extremely rare in Hong Kong; the last reported instance was on Tai Mo Shan in 1975.<ref>{{cite web |title=Last time it snowed in Hong Kong |url=https://www.hko.gov.hk/en/education/climate/general-climatology/00247-last-time-it-snowed-in-hong-kong.html |website=www.hko.gov.hk |language=en |access-date=12 December 2023 |archive-date=12 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231212060956/https://www.hko.gov.hk/en/education/climate/general-climatology/00247-last-time-it-snowed-in-hong-kong.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Hong Kong averages 1,709 hours of sunshine per year.<ref>{{harvnb|Geography and Climate|2010}}.</ref> Historic temperature extremes at the Hong Kong Observatory are {{convert|36.6|°C|°F|sigfig=3}} on 22 August 2017 and {{convert|0.0|°C|°F|sigfig=3}} on 18 January 1893, record highest daily minimum temperature there was {{convert|30.1|°C|°F|sigfig=3}} on 18 August 1990 and the lowest daily maximum temperature there was {{convert|3.2|°C|°F|sigfig=3}} on 16 January 1893.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hko.gov.hk/cis/extreme/mon_extreme_e.htm |title=Extreme Values and Dates of Occurrence of Extremes of Meteorological Elements between 1884 and 1939 and 1947–2017 for Hong Kong |publisher=Hong Kong Observatory |access-date=25 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180324065716/http://www.hko.gov.hk/cis/extreme/mon_extreme_e.htm |archive-date=24 March 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Daily temperature and rainfall extremes at the Hong Kong Observatory (1884–2024) |url=http://hkweather.altervista.org/HKOdobs/2024/HKOclimo-202401.html |access-date=2025-01-13 |website=hkweather.altervista.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Daily temperature and rainfall extremes at the Hong Kong Observatory (1884–2024) |url=http://hkweather.altervista.org/HKOdobs/2024/HKOclimo-202408.html |access-date=2025-01-13 |website=hkweather.altervista.org}}</ref> The highest and lowest recorded temperatures in all of Hong Kong are {{convert|39.0|°C|°F|sigfig=3}} at Wetland Park on 22 August 2017,<ref>{{harvnb|"HK records hottest day before typhoon", ''EJ Insight''}}</ref> and {{convert|−6.0|°C|°F|sigfig=3}} at Tai Mo Shan on 24 January 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Automatic Weather Observations yearly Extract|url=https://www.hko.gov.hk/en/cis/awsYearlyExtract.htm|access-date=17 January 2021|website=Hong Kong Observatory|language=en|archive-date=10 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210310193538/https://www.hko.gov.hk/en/cis/awsYearlyExtract.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

{{Weather box |location = Hong Kong (Hong Kong Observatory), normals 1991–2020,{{efn|Mean monthly maxima and minima (i.e., the expected highest and lowest temperature readings at any point during the year or given month) calculated based on data in Hong Kong from 1991 to 2020.}} extremes 1884–1939 and 1947–present |metric first = Y |single line = Y |collapsed = Y |Jan record high C = 26.9 |Feb record high C = 28.3 |Mar record high C = 31.5 |Apr record high C = 33.4 |May record high C = 36.1 |Jun record high C = 35.6 |Jul record high C = 36.1 |Aug record high C = 36.6 |Sep record high C = 35.9 |Oct record high C = 34.6 |Nov record high C = 31.8 |Dec record high C = 28.7 |year record high C = 36.6 |Jan avg record high C = 24.0 |Feb avg record high C = 25.1 |Mar avg record high C = 27.5 |Apr avg record high C = 30.2 |May avg record high C = 32.3 |Jun avg record high C = 33.6 |Jul avg record high C = 34.1 |Aug avg record high C = 34.2 |Sep avg record high C = 33.4 |Oct avg record high C = 31.3 |Nov avg record high C = 28.4 |Dec avg record high C = 25.1 |year avg record high C = 34.7 |Jan high C = 18.7 |Feb high C = 19.4 |Mar high C = 21.9 |Apr high C = 25.6 |May high C = 28.8 |Jun high C = 30.7 |Jul high C = 31.6 |Aug high C = 31.3 |Sep high C = 30.5 |Oct high C = 28.1 |Nov high C = 24.5 |Dec high C = 20.4 |year high C = 26.0 |Jan mean C = 16.5 |Feb mean C = 17.1 |Mar mean C = 19.5 |Apr mean C = 23.0 |May mean C = 26.3 |Jun mean C = 28.3 |Jul mean C = 28.9 |Aug mean C = 28.7 |Sep mean C = 27.9 |Oct mean C = 25.7 |Nov mean C = 22.2 |Dec mean C = 18.2 |year mean C = 23.5 |Jan low C = 14.6 |Feb low C = 15.3 |Mar low C = 17.6 |Apr low C = 21.1 |May low C = 24.5 |Jun low C = 26.5 |Jul low C = 26.9 |Aug low C = 26.7 |Sep low C = 26.1 |Oct low C = 23.9 |Nov low C = 20.3 |Dec low C = 16.2 |year low C = 21.6 |Jan avg record low C = 9.1 |Feb avg record low C = 10.2 |Mar avg record low C = 12.2 |Apr avg record low C = 16.3 |May avg record low C = 20.7 |Jun avg record low C = 23.6 |Jul avg record low C = 24.2 |Aug avg record low C = 24.3 |Sep avg record low C = 23.5 |Oct avg record low C = 20.1 |Nov avg record low C = 15.3 |Dec avg record low C = 10.1 |year avg record low C = 7.8 |Jan record low C = 0.0 |Feb record low C = 2.4 |Mar record low C = 4.8 |Apr record low C = 9.9 |May record low C = 15.4 |Jun record low C = 19.2 |Jul record low C = 21.7 |Aug record low C = 21.6 |Sep record low C = 18.4 |Oct record low C = 13.5 |Nov record low C = 6.5 |Dec record low C = 4.3 |year record low C = 0.0 |rain colour = green |Jan rain mm = 33.2 |Feb rain mm = 38.9 |Mar rain mm = 75.3 |Apr rain mm = 153.0 |May rain mm = 290.6 |Jun rain mm = 491.5 |Jul rain mm = 385.8 |Aug rain mm = 453.2 |Sep rain mm = 321.4 |Oct rain mm = 120.3 |Nov rain mm = 39.3 |Dec rain mm = 28.8 |year rain mm = 2431.2 |unit rain days = 0.1 mm |Jan rain days = 5.70 |Feb rain days = 7.97 |Mar rain days = 10.50 |Apr rain days = 11.37 |May rain days = 15.37 |Jun rain days = 19.33 |Jul rain days = 18.43 |Aug rain days = 17.50 |Sep rain days = 14.90 |Oct rain days = 7.83 |Nov rain days = 5.70 |Dec rain days = 5.30 |year rain days = 139.90 |Jan humidity = 74 |Feb humidity = 79 |Mar humidity = 82 |Apr humidity = 83 |May humidity = 83 |Jun humidity = 82 |Jul humidity = 81 |Aug humidity = 81 |Sep humidity = 78 |Oct humidity = 73 |Nov humidity = 72 |Dec humidity = 70 |year humidity = 78 | Jan dew point C = 11.7 | Feb dew point C = 13.2 | Mar dew point C = 16.1 | Apr dew point C = 19.7 | May dew point C = 23.0 | Jun dew point C = 24.9 | Jul dew point C = 25.2 | Aug dew point C = 25.1 | Sep dew point C = 23.6 | Oct dew point C = 20.2 | Nov dew point C = 16.7 | Dec dew point C = 12.4 | year dew point C = 19.3 |Jan sun = 145.8 |Feb sun = 101.7 |Mar sun = 100.0 |Apr sun = 113.2 |May sun = 138.8 |Jun sun = 144.3 |Jul sun = 197.3 |Aug sun = 182.1 |Sep sun = 174.4 |Oct sun = 197.8 |Nov sun = 172.3 |Dec sun = 161.6 |year sun = 1829.3 |Jan percentsun = 43 |Feb percentsun = 32 |Mar percentsun = 27 |Apr percentsun = 30 |May percentsun = 34 |Jun percentsun = 36 |Jul percentsun = 48 |Aug percentsun = 46 |Sep percentsun = 47 |Oct percentsun = 55 |Nov percentsun = 52 |Dec percentsun = 48 |year percentsun = 41 |source 1 = Hong Kong Observatory<ref name="met_norms">{{cite web |url=https://www.hko.gov.hk/en/cis/normal/1991_2020/normals.htm |title=Monthly Meteorological Normals for Hong Kong (1991–2020) |publisher=Hong Kong Observatory |access-date=7 February 2021 |archive-date=8 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210208043254/https://www.hko.gov.hk/en/cis/normal/1991_2020/normals.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="extremeshko">{{cite web |url=http://www.weather.gov.hk/en/cis/extreme/mon_extreme.htm |title=Extreme Values of Meteorological Elements in Hong Kong and their Occurrence Dates (1884–1939, 1947–2024) |publisher=Hong Kong Observatory |access-date=7 February 2021 |archive-date=8 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210208053745/http://www.weather.gov.hk/en/cis/extreme/mon_extreme.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="meanmaxmin">{{cite web |url=https://www.hko.gov.hk/en/cis/monthlyElement.htm |title=Monthly Data for Single Element |publisher=Hong Kong Observatory |access-date=16 February 2022 |archive-date=9 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220209091006/https://www.hko.gov.hk/en/cis/monthlyElement.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> }}

===Environment=== {{Main|Air pollution in Hong Kong}}

Air pollution in Hong Kong is considered a major problem. It became a concern soon after the start of the 2000s. According to the Environmental Protection Department (EPD), the major air pollutants in Hong Kong include nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulphur dioxide (SO2), respirable suspended particulates (RSP or PM10), fine suspended particulates (FSP or PM2.5), volatile organic compounds (VOC), carbon monoxide (CO),<ref name="emissioninventory">{{cite web | title=Environmental Protection Department | website=epd.gov.hk | date=28 Jun 2024 | url=https://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/air/data/emission_inve.html | access-date=28 Nov 2024}}</ref> ozone and lead.<ref name=AQOs>{{cite web | publisher=Environmental Protection Department | website=epd.gov.hk |title=Air Quality Objectives | date=1 Jan 2022 | url=https://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/air/air_quality_objectives/air_quality_objectives.html | access-date=29 Dec 2024}}</ref>

===Architecture=== {{Main|Architecture of Hong Kong}}

[[File:Yick Cheong Building View 2015.jpg|thumb|Monster Building, a famous group of residential buildings in Quarry Bay]]

Hong Kong has the world's largest number of skyscrapers, with 554 towers taller than {{convert|150|m|ft}},<ref name="SkyscraperCenter">{{cite web |title=Hong Kong |url=https://www.skyscrapercenter.com/city/hong-kong |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171111114955/http://www.skyscrapercenter.com/city/hong-kong |archive-date=11 November 2017 |access-date=15 January 2018 |website=The Skyscraper Center |publisher=Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat}}</ref> and the third-largest number of high-rise buildings in the world.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.emporis.com/statistics/skyline-ranking |title=Skyline Ranking |publisher=Emporis |access-date=24 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623034606/https://www.emporis.com/statistics/skyline-ranking |archive-date=23 June 2018 |url-status=usurped }}</ref> The lack of available space restricted development to high-density residential tenements and commercial complexes packed closely together on buildable land.<ref>{{harvnb|Tong|Wong|1997}}.</ref> Single-family detached homes are uncommon and generally only found in outlying areas.<ref>{{harvnb|Forrest|La Grange|Yip|2004|pp=215, 222}}</ref> The International Commerce Centre and Two International Finance Centre are the tallest buildings in Hong Kong and are among the tallest in the Asia-Pacific region.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.emporis.com/statistics/worlds-tallest-buildings |title=The World's Tallest Buildings |publisher=Emporis |access-date=24 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180624121309/https://www.emporis.com/statistics/worlds-tallest-buildings |archive-date=24 June 2018 |url-status=usurped }}</ref> Other distinctive buildings lining the Hong Kong Island skyline include the HSBC Main Building, the anemometer-topped triangular Central Plaza, the circular Hopewell Centre, and the sharp-edged Bank of China Tower.<ref name="FengShui">{{harvnb|Kohlstedt|2016}}.</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Hollingsworth|Zheng|2017}}.</ref>

Demand for new construction has contributed to the frequent demolition of older buildings, freeing space for modern high-rises.<ref>{{harvnb|Zheng|2017}}.</ref> However, many examples of European and Lingnan architecture are still found throughout the territory. Older government buildings are examples of colonial architecture. The 1846 Flagstaff House, the former residence of the Commander of the British forces in Hong Kong, is the oldest Western-style building in Hong Kong.<ref>{{harvnb|McKercher|Ho|du Cros|2004}}.</ref> Some buildings, such as the Court of Final Appeal Building and the Hong Kong Observatory retain their original functions, and others have been adapted and reused; the Former Marine Police Headquarters was redeveloped into a commercial and retail complex,<ref name="TourismFacts">{{harvnb|Tourism Facts|2016}}.</ref> and Béthanie (built in 1875 as a sanatorium) houses the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts.<ref>{{harvnb|Béthanie|2015|p=3}}.</ref> The Tin Hau Temple, dedicated to the sea goddess Mazu (originally built in 1012 and rebuilt in 1266), is the territory's oldest existing structure.<ref>{{harvnb|Ingham|2007|p=225}}.</ref> The Ping Shan Heritage Trail has architectural examples from several imperial Chinese dynasties, including the Tsui Sing Lau Pagoda (Hong Kong's only remaining pagoda).<ref>{{harvnb|Declared Monuments|2007|pp=5–6}}.</ref>

''Tong lau'', mixed-use tenement buildings constructed during the colonial era, blended southern Chinese architectural styles with European influences. These were especially prolific during the immediate post-war period, when many were rapidly built to house large numbers of Chinese migrants.<ref>{{harvnb|Xue|2016|p=99}}.</ref> Examples include Lui Seng Chun, the Blue House in Wan Chai, and the Shanghai Street shophouses in Mong Kok. Mass-produced public-housing estates, built since the 1960s, are mainly constructed in modernist style.<ref>{{harvnb|Xue|2016|p=41}}.</ref>

{{wide image|Hong Kong at night.jpg|1150px|align-cap=center|alt=Skyline at night, with building lights reflected in water|The Hong Kong Island skyline, viewed from the Victoria Harbour waterfront}} {{wide image|Kowloon Panorama by Ryan Cheng 2010.jpg|1600px|align-cap=center|City view of Kowloon, Hong Kong Island, and the Hong Kong skyline}}

==Demographics== {{Main|Demographics of Hong Kong|Hong Kong people}}

{| class="wikitable sortable floatright" |+ style="text-align: right;" | Death rates (No. of Deaths per 100,000 Population) by leading causes of death, based on ICD 10th Revision.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.chp.gov.hk/en/statistics/data/10/27/117.html | title=Death Rates by Leading Causes of Death, 2001 – 2021 | access-date=8 April 2023 | archive-date=8 April 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408181119/https://www.chp.gov.hk/en/statistics/data/10/27/117.html | url-status=live }}</ref> Red: increased compared with 2001. Deaths from dementia increased more than 5 times from 2001 to 2021. ! Cause of Death !! 2001 !! 2011 !! 2021 |- | 1. Malignant neoplasms || 169.9 || 187.2 || 203.8 |- | 2. Pneumonia || 45.1 || 87.8 || '''132.6''' |- | 3. Diseases of heart || 70 || 89.6 || 89 |- | 4. Cerebrovascular || 46.6 || 47.2 || 42.2 |- | 5. External causes of morbidity and mortality || 27.5 || 22.2 || 26.7 |- | 6. Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis || 15.7 || 21.8 || 24 |- | 7. '''Dementia''' || 3.8 || 10.6 || '''20.2''' |- | 8. Septicaemia || 6.3 || 10.8 || 16.8 |- | 9. Chronic lower respiratory diseases || 31.5 || 27.8 || 14.3 |- | 10. Diabetes mellitus || 10.1 || 6.5 || 7.4 |- | All other causes || 69.7 || 85 || 118.1 |- | All causes || 496 || 596.6 ||695.2 |} [[File:Bevölkerungspyramide Hongkong 2016.png|thumb|alt=Population graph|2016 population pyramid]]

The Census and Statistics Department estimated Hong Kong's population at 7,413,070 in 2021. The overwhelming majority (91.6%) is Han Chinese,<ref name="demographics">{{harvnb|Population By-Census|2021|p=46}}.</ref> most of whom are Taishanese, Teochew, Hakka, and other Cantonese peoples.<ref>{{harvnb|Fan|1974}}.</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Carroll|2007|pp=144–147}}.</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Yu|2013}}.</ref> The remaining 8.4% are non-ethnic Chinese minorities, primarily Filipinos, Indonesians, and South Asians.<ref name="demographics" /><ref>{{harvnb|Erni|Leung|2014|pp=18, 22}}.</ref> However, most Filipinos and Indonesians in Hong Kong are short-term workers. According to a 2021 thematic report by the Hong Kong government, after excluding foreign domestic helpers, the real number of non-Chinese ethnic minorities in the city was 301,344, or 4% of Hong Kong's population.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Statistical Product|url=https://www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1120100&scode=459|access-date=28 November 2021|website=www.censtatd.gov.hk|archive-date=7 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407171137/https://www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1120100&scode=459|url-status=live}}</ref> About half the population have some form of British nationality, a legacy of colonial rule; 3.4 million residents have British National (Overseas) status, and 260,000 British citizens live in the territory.<ref>{{harvnb|FCO Written Evidence|2014}}.</ref> The vast majority also hold Chinese nationality, automatically granted to all ethnic Chinese residents at the handover.<ref>{{harvnb|Standing Committee Interpretation Concerning Implementation of Chinese Nationality Law in Hong Kong}}</ref> Headline population density exceeds 7,060 people/km2 It is the fourth-highest in the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/EN.POP.DNST?locations=HK|title=Population density (people per sq km of land area) – Hong Kong SAR, China|work=World Bank|access-date=6 August 2022|archive-date=16 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200516120537/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/EN.POP.DNST?locations=HK|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple (1944336752).jpg|thumb|Wong Tai Sin Temple is dedicated to the Taoist deity Wong Tai Sin.]] Among the religious population, the traditional "three teachings" of China, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism, have the most adherents (20%), followed by Christianity (12%) and Islam (4%).<ref name="religionFacts">{{harvnb|Religion and Custom Facts|2016}}.</ref> Followers of other religions, including Sikhism, Hinduism, and Judaism, generally originate from regions where their religion predominates.<ref name="religionFacts" />

Life expectancy in Hong Kong was 82.8 years for males and 88.4 years for females at birth in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-31 |title=Life expectancy for Hong Kong women hits record, while men also get a lift |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3323830/life-expectancy-hong-kong-women-hits-record-while-men-also-get-lift |access-date=2026-02-28 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en}}</ref> The birth rate in 2023 was 0.751 per woman of child-bearing age.<ref>{{cite news |script-title=zh:社評: 人口問題精準施策謀求旺丁要新思維 |trans-title=Editorial: Targeted measures to address population issues require new thinking to achieve population growth |url=https://news.mingpao.com/pns/%e7%a4%be%e8%a9%95/article/20250201/s00003/1738345318623/%e7%a4%be%e8%a9%95-%e4%ba%ba%e5%8f%a3%e5%95%8f%e9%a1%8c%e7%b2%be%e6%ba%96%e6%96%bd%e7%ad%96-%e8%ac%80%e6%b1%82%e6%97%ba%e4%b8%81%e8%a6%81%e6%96%b0%e6%80%9d%e7%b6%ad |access-date=1 February 2025 |work=Ming Pao |date=1 February 2025 |language=zh-hant}}</ref> Cancer, pneumonia, heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, and accidents are the territory's five leading causes of death.<ref name="2017HealthFacts">{{harvnb|Health Facts|2017}}.</ref> The universal public healthcare system is funded by general-tax revenue, and treatment is highly subsidised; on average, 95% of healthcare costs are covered by the government.<ref>{{harvnb|Wong|Yeoh|Chau|Yam|2015|p=262}}.</ref>

The city has a severe amount of income inequality,<ref>{{cite web |title=Country Comparison: GDP (Purchasing Power Parity) |url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2001rank.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604195034/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2001rank.html |archive-date=4 June 2011 |access-date=15 January 2018 |work=The World Factbook |publisher=Central Intelligence Agency}}</ref> which has risen since the handover, as the region's ageing population has gradually added to the number of nonworking people.<ref>{{harvnb|Household Income Distribution|2021|p=3}}</ref> Although median household income steadily increased during the decade to 2021, the wage gap remained high;<ref name="IncomeDistribution">{{harvnb|Household Income Distribution|2021|p=50}}</ref> the 90th percentile of earners receive 41% of all income.<ref name="IncomeDistribution" /> The city has the most billionaires per capita, with one billionaire per 109,657 people,<ref>{{harvnb|Desjardins|2018}}.</ref> as well as the second-highest number of billionaires of any city in the world,<ref>{{cite web |author=Grosser |first=Annika |date=30 April 2024 |title=The Cities With The Most Billionaires 2024 |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/annikagrosser/2024/04/26/the-cities-with-the-most-billionaires-2024/ |access-date=8 June 2024 |work=Forbes}}</ref> the highest number of billionaires of any city in Asia, and the second largest concentration of ultra high-net-worth individuals of any city in the world.<ref>{{harvnb|Liu|2018}}.</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Frank|2018}}.</ref> Despite government efforts to reduce the growing disparity,<ref>{{harvnb|Household Income Distribution|2021|p=4}}</ref> median income for the top 10% of earners is 57 times that of the bottom 10%.<ref>{{harvnb|Hung|Ma|2023}}.</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Household Income Distribution|2021|p=40}}</ref>

==Economy== {{Main|Economy of Hong Kong|Tourism in Hong Kong}}

[[File:Kwai Tsing Container Terminals.jpg|thumb|Hong Kong is one of the world's busiest container ports.]]

Along with Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan, Hong Kong is one of the Four Asian Tigers.

One of the world's most significant financial centres and commercial ports,<ref>{{harvnb|Global Financial Centres Index|2017}}</ref> Hong Kong has a market economy focused on services, characterised by low taxation, minimal government market intervention, and an established international financial market.<ref>{{harvnb|Jiang|Tang|Law|Sze|2003}}.</ref> It is the world's 37th-largest economy, with a nominal GDP of approximately US$446 billion.<ref name="IMFWEO.HK" /> Hong Kong is highly developed, and ranks fourth on the UN Human Development Index.<ref name="cia" /> The Hong Kong Stock Exchange is the fifth-largest in the world, with a market capitalisation of HK$48.2 trillion (US$6.17 trillion) {{As of|2025|12|lc=y}}.<ref>{{harvnb|HKSE Market Statistics|2025|p=2}}.</ref> Hong Kong was ranked as the 15th most innovative territory in the 2025 Global Innovation Index,<ref>{{Cite web |title=GII Innovation Ecosystems & Data Explorer 2025 |url=https://www.wipo.int/gii-ranking/en/hong-kong-china |access-date=2025-10-16 |website=WIPO}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Dutta |first1=Soumitra |url=https://www.wipo.int/web-publications/global-innovation-index-2025/en/index.html |title=Global Innovation Index 2025: Innovation at a Crossroads |last2=Lanvin |first2=Bruno |publisher=World Intellectual Property Organization |year=2025 |isbn=978-92-805-3797-0 |page=19 |language=en |doi=10.34667/tind.58864 |access-date=2025-10-17}}</ref> and 3rd in the Global Financial Centres Index.<ref name="GFCI">{{cite web |date=March 2022 |title=The Global Financial Centres Index 31 |url=https://www.longfinance.net/media/documents/GFCI_31_Report_2022.03.24_v1.0.pdf |access-date=24 March 2022 |publisher=Long Finance |archive-date=24 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220324124055/https://www.longfinance.net/media/documents/GFCI_31_Report_2022.03.24_v1.0.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> The city is sometimes referred to as "Silicon Harbour" in the 1990s, a nickname derived from Silicon Valley in California.<ref name="Tech Monitor 1999">{{cite web | title=US Bank Leads Development of Hong Kong's "Silicon Harbor" | website=Tech Monitor | date=8 July 1999 | url=https://techmonitor.ai/technology/us_bank_leads_development_of_hong_kongs_silicon_harbor | access-date=6 July 2022 | archive-date=1 October 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221001231008/https://techmonitor.ai/technology/us_bank_leads_development_of_hong_kongs_silicon_harbor | url-status=live }}</ref>

Hong Kong is the ninth largest trading entity in exports and eighth largest in imports (2021),<ref name="CIAExports">{{cite web |title=Country Comparison: Exports |url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2078rank.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190427111612/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2078rank.html |archive-date=27 April 2019 |access-date=16 June 2019 |work=The World Factbook |publisher=Central Intelligence Agency}}</ref><ref name="CIAImports">{{cite web |title=Country Comparison: Imports |url=https://www.cia.gov/library/Publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2087rank.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081004070323/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook//rankorder/2087rank.html |archive-date=4 October 2008 |access-date=16 June 2019 |work=The World Factbook |publisher=Central Intelligence Agency}}</ref> trading more goods in value than its gross domestic product.<ref name="CIAExports" /><ref name="CIAImports" /> Over half of its cargo throughput consists of transshipments (goods travelling through Hong Kong). Products from mainland China account for about 40% of that traffic.<ref name="LegcoEconomy">{{harvnb|Economic Statistical Highlights|2017}}</ref> The city's location allowed it to establish a transportation and logistics infrastructure, which includes the world's seventh-busiest container port<ref>{{harvnb|Park|2019}}.</ref> and the busiest airport for international cargo.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aci.aero/Data-Centre/Annual-Traffic-Data/Cargo/2016-final-summary |title=Cargo Traffic 2016 |work=ACI World |publisher=Airports Council International |date=1 January 2018 |access-date=7 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612141937/http://www.aci.aero/Data-Centre/Annual-Traffic-Data/Cargo/2016-final-summary |archive-date=12 June 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> The territory's largest export markets are mainland China and the United States.<ref name="cia" /> Hong Kong is a key part of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Lam|first1=Jasmine Siu Lee|last2=Cullinane|first2=Kevin Patrick Brendan|last3=Lee|first3=Paul Tae-Woo|title=The 21st-century Maritime Silk Road: challenges and opportunities for transport management and practice|volume=38|issue=4|pages=413–415|date=3 May 2018|doi=10.1080/01441647.2018.1453562|journal=Transport Reviews|publisher=Routledge|bibcode=2018TrRev..38..413L |s2cid=158856945 |doi-access=free}}</ref> It has little arable land and few natural resources, importing most of its food and raw materials. More than 90% of Hong Kong's food is imported, including nearly all of its meat and rice.<ref>{{harvnb|Kong|2013}}.</ref> Agricultural activity is 0.1% of GDP and consists of growing premium food and flower varieties.<ref>{{harvnb|Agriculture and Fisheries Facts|2017}}</ref>

Although the territory had one of Asia's largest manufacturing economies during the latter half of the colonial era, Hong Kong's economy is now dominated by the service sector. The sector generates 92.7% of economic output, with the public sector accounting for about 10%.<ref>{{harvnb|Economy Facts|2016}}.</ref> Between 1961 and 1997, Hong Kong's gross domestic product increased by a factor of 180, and per capita GDP increased by a factor of 87.<ref>{{harvnb|Preston|Haacke|2003}}.</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Yeung|2008|p=16}}.</ref> The territory's GDP relative to mainland China's peaked at 27% in 1993; it fell to less than 3% in 2017, as the mainland developed and liberalised its economy.<ref>{{harvnb|"HK vs China GDP: A sobering reality", ''EJ Insight''}}</ref> Economic and infrastructure integration with China has increased significantly since the 1978 start of the reform and opening up on the mainland. Since resumption of cross-boundary train service in 1979, many rail and road links have been improved and constructed, facilitating trade between regions.<ref>{{harvnb|Lung|Sung|2010|p=5}}.</ref><ref name="HZMBridge">{{harvnb|Griffiths|Lazarus|2018}}.</ref> The Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement formalised a policy of free trade between the two areas, with each jurisdiction pledging to remove remaining obstacles to trade and cross-boundary investment.<ref name="MainlandCEPA">{{cite web |url=https://www.tid.gov.hk/english/cepa/legaltext/cepa_legaltext.html |title=Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) |publisher=Trade and Industry Department |date=31 October 2017 |access-date=26 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171226131207/https://www.tid.gov.hk/english/cepa/legaltext/cepa_legaltext.html |archive-date=26 December 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> A similar economic partnership with Macau details the liberalisation of trade between the special administrative regions.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tid.gov.hk/english/ita/fta/hkmacao/index.html |title=Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Macao Special Administrative Region Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (HK-Macao CEPA) |publisher=Trade and Industry Department |date=17 November 2017 |access-date=28 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171229113132/https://www.tid.gov.hk/english/ita/fta/hkmacao/index.html |archive-date=29 December 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> Chinese companies have expanded their economic presence in the territory since the handover. Mainland firms represent over half of the Hang Seng Index value, up from 5% in 1997.<ref>{{harvnb|Baldwin|Lee|Jim|2014}}.</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Lam|Qiu|2017}}.</ref>

[[File:Hong Kong Exchange Trade Lobby 2007.jpg|thumb|left|alt=Large, empty room, with many desks and computer terminals|Former trading floor of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange]] As the mainland economy liberalised, Hong Kong's shipping industry faced intense competition from other Chinese ports. Half of China's trade goods were routed through Hong Kong in 1997, dropping to about 13% by 2015.<ref name="Commons5R18">{{harvnb|House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee Tenth Report|2015|p=18}}</ref> The territory's minimal taxation, common law system, and civil service attract overseas corporations wishing to establish a presence in Asia.<ref name="Commons5R18" /> The city has the second-highest number of corporate headquarters in the Asia-Pacific region.<ref>{{harvnb|Cushman & Wakefield RHQ Report|2016|p=8}}</ref> Hong Kong is a gateway for foreign direct investment in China, giving investors open access to mainland Chinese markets through direct links with the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges. The territory was the first market outside mainland China for renminbi-denominated bonds, and is one of the largest hubs for offshore renminbi trading.<ref>{{harvnb|House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee Tenth Report|2015|pp=18–19}}</ref> In November 2020, Hong Kong's Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau proposed a new law that will restrict cryptocurrency trading to professional investors only, leaving amateur traders (93% of Hong Kong's trading population) out of the market.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Muir|first=Paul|date=17 February 2021|title=Crypto body warns new HK law will backfire|url=https://asiatimes.com/2021/02/hk-crypto-body-warns-new-law-will-backfire/|access-date=24 February 2021|archive-date=22 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210222034554/https://asiatimes.com/2021/02/hk-crypto-body-warns-new-law-will-backfire/|url-status=live}}</ref> The Hong Kong dollar, the local currency, is the eighth-most traded currency in the world.<ref>{{harvnb|Triennial Central Bank Survey|2016|p=10}}</ref> Due to extremely compact house sizes and the extremely high housing density, the city has the most expensive housing market in the world.<ref>{{Cite news |date=24 November 2021 |title=Hong Kong conundrum: sky-high prices and flats the size of parking spaces |work=Financial Times |url=https://www.ft.com/content/e4fb2779-44c0-466f-a3e7-0ff61d5e61f9 |url-access=subscription |access-date=3 September 2022 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/https://www.ft.com/content/e4fb2779-44c0-466f-a3e7-0ff61d5e61f9 |archive-date=10 December 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Saiidi |first=Uptin |date=10 April 2017 |title=Here's why Hong Kong housing is so expensive |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2017/04/09/heres-why-hong-kong-housing-is-so-expensive.html |access-date=3 September 2022 |website=CNBC |language=en |archive-date=3 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220903092809/https://www.cnbc.com/2017/04/09/heres-why-hong-kong-housing-is-so-expensive.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Chan |first1=Vanesse |last2=Molloy |first2=Claire |date=22 July 2021 |title=Why rent in Hong Kong is so high, even though there's undeveloped land |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/hong-kong-most-expensive-housing-market-in-the-world-2021-7 |access-date=3 September 2022 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US |archive-date=3 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220903092811/https://www.businessinsider.com/hong-kong-most-expensive-housing-market-in-the-world-2021-7 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The government has had a passive role in the economy. Colonial governments had little industrial policy and implemented almost no trade controls. Under the doctrine of "positive non-interventionism", post-war administrations deliberately avoided direct resource allocation; active intervention was considered detrimental to economic growth.<ref name="ceo">{{cite press release |url=https://www.ceo.gov.hk/archive/2012/eng/press/oped.htm |title=Big Market, Small Government |first=Donald |last=Tsang |date=18 September 2006 |publisher=Hong Kong Government |access-date=8 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612235339/https://www.ceo.gov.hk/archive/2012/eng/press/oped.htm |archive-date=12 June 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> While the economy transitioned to a service basis during the 1980s,<ref name="ceo" /> late colonial governments introduced interventionist policies. Post-handover administrations continued and expanded these programmes, including export-credit guarantees, a compulsory pension scheme, a minimum wage, anti-discrimination laws, and a state mortgage backer.<ref name="EconomistEnd">{{harvnb|"End of an experiment", ''The Economist''}}</ref>

In April 2026, Hong Kong's Securities and Futures Commission launched a regulatory framework to enable secondary trading of tokenised investment products on licensed virtual asset platforms, aiming to broaden retail investors' access to regulated digital asset trading services.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Hong Kong launches regulatory framework for secondary trading of tokenised products |url=https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/hong-kong-launches-regulatory-framework-secondary-trading-tokenised-products-2026-04-20/ |work=Reuters |date=20 April 2026}}</ref>

===Tourism=== [[File:Chinese Junk, Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong (16455719585).jpg|thumb|Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong]] Tourism is a major part of Hong Kong's economy, accounting for 5% of GDP.<ref name="TourismFacts" /> In 2016, 26.6 million visitors contributed HK$258 billion (US$32.9 billion) to the territory, making Hong Kong the 14th-most popular destination for international tourists.{{Update inline|date=March 2025}} It is the most popular Chinese city for tourists, receiving over 70% more visitors than its closest competitor Macau.<ref>{{harvnb|WTO|2017|p=6}}.</ref> The city is ranked as one of the most expensive cities for expatriates.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mercer.com/newsroom/cost-of-living-2017.html |title=Despite worldwide changes, multinationals focus on mobile workforces to support career growth and ensure competitiveness |publisher=Mercer |location=New York |date=21 June 2017 |access-date=26 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180113110140/https://www.mercer.com/newsroom/cost-of-living-2017.html |archive-date=13 January 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mercer.com/costoflivingpr#Top_50 |title=Worldwide Cost of Living survey 2009 |date=29 June 2010 |publisher=Mercer |access-date=25 August 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725215323/http://www.mercer.com/costoflivingpr |archive-date=25 July 2011 }}</ref> However, since 2020, there has been a sharp decline in incoming visitors due to tight COVID-19 travel restrictions. In an attempt to attract tourists back to Hong Kong, the Hong Kong government announced plans to give away 500,000 free airline tickets in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |author-last1=Goh |author-first1=Chiew Tong |author-first2=Vivian|author-last2= Kam |title=Hong Kong will give away half a million plane tickets. Here's who can get them first |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2023/02/03/hong-kong-to-give-away-half-a-million-air-tickets-to-boost-tourism.html |access-date=22 February 2023 |website=CNBC |date=3 February 2023 |language=en |archive-date=3 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203103636/https://www.cnbc.com/2023/02/03/hong-kong-to-give-away-half-a-million-air-tickets-to-boost-tourism.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Hong Kong was the most visited city internationally in the Asia-Pacific region in 2023. [[File:The Peninsula Hong Kong Night View 2006.jpg|thumb|250x250px|The Peninsula Hong Kong]] Well-known Hong Kong landmarks include the Victoria Peak, the iconic Victoria Harbour skyline, and The Big Buddha (Hong Kong). Other iconic sites include the historic Star Ferry, Avenue of Stars, Hong Kong, Man Mo Temple, Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark in Sai Kung District and Lamma Island.

Luxury hotels in Hong Kong include the Rosewood Hong Kong (#1 World's 50 Best Hotels), Upper House Hong Kong (#10 World's 50 Best Hotels), Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong, The Peninsula Hong Kong, Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, Island Shangri-La, Grand Hyatt Hong Kong and the Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong (world's highest hotel).

Major venues such as the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai and AsiaWorld-Expo near Hong Kong International Airport host many large-scale trade fairs and business events each year. These include the Hong Kong Fashion Week, the Hong Kong Book Fair, the Hong Kong International Jewellery Show, the HKTDC Food Expo, and Art Basel Hong Kong. These events attract large numbers of exhibitors, buyers, and business visitors from across Asia and the wider world, reinforcing Hong Kong's position as a major international trade and events hub.

{{wide image|Hong Kong Skyline view from the peak 2017.jpg|800px|Victoria Peak is a major tourist attraction that offers views of Central and Victoria Harbour.}}

==Infrastructure== ===Transport=== {{Main|Transport in Hong Kong}}

[[File:Kowloon Waterfront, Hong Kong, 2013-08-09, DD 05.jpg|alt=Tunnel entrance at night, with heavy traffic|thumb|Hong Kong Taxis]] Hong Kong has a highly developed and sophisticated transport network. Over 90% of daily trips made by its residents are made with public transport, the highest percentage in the world.<ref name="pubtransport">{{harvnb|Public Transport Strategy Study|2017|p=1}}</ref> The Octopus card, a contactless smart payment card made for Hong Kong, is widely accepted on railways, trams, buses and ferries, and can also be used for payment in most retail stores.<ref>{{harvnb|Poon|Chau|2001|p=102}}.</ref> Alternative payments such as Apple Pay, AliPay, Mastercard and Visa have also been gradually introduced as methods of payment for public transport.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MTR > Ticket Purchase and Usage |url=https://www.mtr.com.hk/en/customer/buy_tickets/payment_method.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240716005653/https://www.mtr.com.hk/en/customer/buy_tickets/payment_method.html |archive-date=2024-07-16 |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=www.mtr.com.hk |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Hong Kong Tramways – Schedules and Fares |url=https://www.hktramways.com/en/schedules-fares |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240616021916/https://www.hktramways.com/en/schedules-fares |archive-date=16 June 2024 |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=www.hktramways.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Schedule & Fares {{!}} StarFerry |url=https://www.starferry.com.hk/en/Fares |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231203123111/https://www.starferry.com.hk/en/Fares |archive-date=3 December 2023 |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=www.starferry.com.hk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=E-payment System |url=https://www.citybus.com.hk/en/uploadedFiles/app_promote/eps/EPS-ENG-1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007133906/https://www.citybus.com.hk/en/uploadedFiles/app_promote/eps/EPS-ENG-1.html |archive-date=7 October 2023 |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=www.citybus.com.hk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Kowloon Motor Bus Co. (1933) Ltd 九龍巴士(一九三三) |url=https://www.kmb.hk/payment.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240501021600/https://kmb.hk/payment.html |archive-date=1 May 2024 |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=www.kmb.hk}}</ref> thumb|261x261px|Hong Kong Buses and Trams Hong Kong's EV policy, driven by the "Hong Kong Roadmap on Popularisation of Electric Vehicles," aims to achieve zero vehicular emissions before 2050. Key strategies include banning new registration of fuel-propelled private cars, including hybrids, by 2035 or earlier, expanding charging infrastructure, and offering significant, extended tax concessions such as the One-for-One Replacement Scheme (expiring 31 March 2026).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Transport Department - First Registration Tax Concessions for Electric Vehicles |url=https://www.td.gov.hk/en/public_services/licences_and_permits/vehicle_first_registration/new_frt_concessions_for_electric_vehicles_2018/index.html |access-date=2026-02-28 |website=www.td.gov.hk}}</ref>

====Land==== The Peak Tram, Hong Kong's first public transport system, has provided funicular rail transport between Central and Victoria Peak since 1888.<ref>{{harvnb|Mok|2018}}.</ref>

The Central and Western District has an extensive system of escalators and moving pavements, which, together being the Mid-Levels escalator system, is the world's longest outdoor covered escalator system.<ref>{{harvnb|Gold|2001}}.</ref>

Hong Kong Tramways' tram network covers a portion of Hong Kong Island, covering from Kennedy Town to Shau Kei Wan, with a branch to Happy Valley. It operates 6 routes and has had a ridership of 42,558 in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Public Transport {{!}} Annual transport digest 2023 |url=https://www.td.gov.hk/mini_site/atd/2023/en/section5-13.html |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=www.td.gov.hk |archive-date=30 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240730122832/https://www.td.gov.hk/mini_site/atd/2023/en/section5-13.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Hong Kong Tramways – Schedules and Fares |url=https://www.hktramways.com/en/schedules-fares |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=www.hktramways.com |language=en |archive-date=16 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240616021916/https://www.hktramways.com/en/schedules-fares |url-status=live }}</ref> It began servicing Hong Kong since 1904.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hong Kong Tramways: fun facts about the century-old Ding Ding {{!}} Hong Kong Tourism Board |url=https://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/explore/attractions/hong-kong-tramways.html |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=Discover Hong Kong |language=en}}</ref> Hong Kong Tramways currently holds the Guinness World Record as the "Largest double-decker tram fleet in service", certified on 30 July 2021, with a fleet of 165 double-decker trams.<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 July 2021 |title=Largest double-decker tram fleet in service |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/593163-largest-double-decker-tram-fleet-in-operation |access-date=30 July 2024 |website=Guinness World Records |archive-date=30 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240730054734/https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/593163-largest-double-decker-tram-fleet-in-operation |url-status=live }}</ref> The fleet of trams was mostly built by Hong Kong Tramways.

The Mass Transit Railway (MTR) is an extensive passenger rail network, connecting 99 metro stations and 68 light-rail stops throughout the territory.<ref name="RailwayFacts">{{harvnb|Railway Network Facts|2018}}.</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Transport Department – Railways |url=https://www.td.gov.hk/en/transport_in_hong_kong/public_transport/railways/index.html |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=www.td.gov.hk |archive-date=26 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230626124121/https://www.td.gov.hk/en/transport_in_hong_kong/public_transport/railways/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> With a daily ridership of almost five million, the system serves 41% of all public transit passengers in the city<ref name="LegcoTransport">{{harvnb|Transport Statistical Highlights|2016}}</ref> and has an on-time rate of 99.9%.<ref>{{harvnb|Report on Rail Service|2014|p=1}}.</ref>[[File:Farewell Hong Kong 5th gen Peak Tram (51282280992).jpg|thumb|270x270px|Hong Kong Peak Tram]]

Train service to Shenzhen is offered by the East Rail line, and longer-distance inter-city trains to Guangzhou, Shanghai, Chongqing, Beijing are operated from Hung Hom station.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mtr.com.hk/en/customer/services/cbs_introduction_tourist.html |title=Cross Boundary Train Services |publisher=MTR Corporation |access-date=20 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171119030307/http://www.mtr.com.hk/en/customer/services/cbs_introduction_tourist.html |archive-date=19 November 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> Connecting service to the national high-speed rail system is provided at West Kowloon railway station.<ref>{{harvnb|Kwok|2018}}.</ref>[[File:V813 entering Sunny Bay Station (20181013082946).jpg|thumb|left|alt=Light-rail train on a straightaway|MTR train on the Tung Chung line]]

Although public transport systems handle most passenger traffic, over 500,000 private vehicles are registered in Hong Kong.<ref>{{harvnb|Vehicle Registration and Licensing|2018}}</ref> Unlike in mainland China, automobiles in Hong Kong drive on the left due to the historical influence of the British Empire.<ref>{{harvnb|Labarre|2010}}.</ref> Vehicle traffic is extremely congested in urban areas, exacerbated by limited space to expand roads and an increasing number of vehicles.<ref>{{harvnb|Traffic Congestion Study|2014|pp=2–3}}</ref> More than 18,000 taxicabs, easily identifiable by their bright colours and taxi lights, are licensed to carry riders in the territory.<ref>{{harvnb|Transport Facts|2016}}.</ref> Unlicensed ride-hailing services such as Uber exist in Hong Kong as well, with some operating with licensed taxis to legitimise their business in ride-sharing. Unlicensed drivers have been targeted by the government and taxi drivers in the past, mainly due to the lack of third-party insurance for passengers, and because taxi drivers feared competition from drivers of these ride-hailing services.<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 May 2017 |title='Ridesharing should not be a crime': Uber criticises Hong Kong's outdated traffic laws following arrests |url=https://hongkongfp.com/2017/05/23/ridesharing-not-crime-uber-criticises-hong-kongs-outdated-traffic-laws-following-arrests/ |access-date=4 August 2024 |website=Hong Kong Free Press}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-21 |title=Uber vs Hong Kong taxis: why is the government allowing the quarrel to fester? |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3263415/uber-vs-hong-kong-taxis-why-government-allowing-quarrel-fester-and-let-customers-lose |access-date=2024-08-04 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en |archive-date=18 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240718142137/https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3263415/uber-vs-hong-kong-taxis-why-government-allowing-quarrel-fester-and-let-customers-lose |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2024, the government looked into legalising these services.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-07-05 |title=Hong Kong to require permits for ride-hailing services including Uber |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3269375/hong-kong-require-private-hire-car-permits-ride-hailing-services-including-uber |access-date=2024-08-04 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en |archive-date=16 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240716100342/https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3269375/hong-kong-require-private-hire-car-permits-ride-hailing-services-including-uber |url-status=live }}</ref>

Bus services operate more than 700 routes across the territory,<ref name="LegcoTransport" /> with smaller public light buses (also known as minibuses) serving areas standard buses do not reach as frequently or directly.<ref>{{harvnb|Cullinane|2002}}.</ref> Expressways and truck roads, organised with the Hong Kong Strategic Route and Exit Number System, connect all major areas of the territory.<ref>{{cite map |title=Hong Kong Strategic Route Map |url=http://www.td.gov.hk/mini_site/hksrens/2008/EN/images/diagram.pdf |publisher=Transport Department |access-date=28 March 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615112730/http://www.td.gov.hk/mini_site/hksrens/2008/EN/images/diagram.pdf |archive-date=15 June 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge provides a direct route to the western side of the Pearl River estuary.<ref name="HZMBridge" />

====Air==== [[File:Aeropuerto de Hong Kong, 2013-08-13, DD 02.JPG|thumb|300x300px|Hong Kong International Airport]] Hong Kong International Airport is the territory's primary airport, replacing Kai Tak International Airport which ended operations in 1998.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-07-06 |title='Goodbye Kai Tak': 25 years since Hong Kong's old airport turned off its lights |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3226610/hong-kongs-old-kai-tak-airport-closes-well-miss-you-scmp-archive |access-date=2024-05-31 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en}}</ref>

Over 100 airlines operate flights from the airport, including Cathay Pacific, the flag carrier of Hong Kong. It has been regarded as a 5-star airline by Skytrax, and been in the world top 10 list of airlines for multiple consecutive years. Hong Kong Airlines, low-cost airline HK Express, low-cost airline Greater Bay Airlines, and cargo airline Air Hong Kong are all airlines based in Hong Kong.<ref>{{harvnb|HKIA Annual Report|2017|p=152}}.</ref> It was the eighth-busiest airport by passenger traffic<ref>{{harvnb|NY/NJ Port Authority Airport Traffic|2017|p=32}}</ref> pre-COVID and handles the most air-cargo traffic in the world.<ref>{{harvnb|NY/NJ Port Authority Airport Traffic|2017|p=58}}</ref> Most private recreational aviation traffic flies through Shek Kong Airfield, under the supervision of the Hong Kong Aviation Club.<ref>{{harvnb|Wordie|2007|p=242}}.</ref>

====Sea==== thumb|290x290px|Tsim Sha Tsui Ferry Pier The Port of Hong Kong located by the South China Sea, is a deepwater seaport dominated by trade in containerised manufactured products. A key factor in the economic development of Hong Kong, the natural shelter and deep waters of Victoria Harbour provide ideal conditions for berthing and the handling of all types of vessels. It is one of the busiest ports in the world, in the three categories of shipping movements, cargo handled and passengers carried. This makes Hong Kong a Large-Port Metropolis.<ref name=tss>{{Cite journal | doi=10.1080/03088839.2020.1802785 | title=The Southampton system: A new universal standard approach for port-city classification | year=2021 | last1=Roberts | first1=Toby | last2=Williams | first2=Ian | last3=Preston | first3=John | journal=Maritime Policy & Management | volume=48 | issue=4 | pages=530–542 | s2cid=225502755 | doi-access=free }}</ref> The Star Ferry operates two lines across Victoria Harbour for its 53,000 daily passengers.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.starferry.com.hk/en/operationalInfo |title=Operational Information |publisher=Star Ferry |access-date=20 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171130062543/http://www.starferry.com.hk/en/operationalInfo |archive-date=30 November 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> Ferries also serve outlying islands inaccessible by other means. Smaller kai-to boats serve the most remote coastal settlements.<ref>{{harvnb|Cushman|1993|p=57}}.</ref> Ferry travel to Macau and mainland China is also available.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gov.hk/en/residents/transport/crossboundary/ferryservices.htm |title=Ferry Services to Macau and the Mainland Ports |publisher=Hong Kong Government |access-date=20 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171119151136/https://www.gov.hk/en/residents/transport/crossboundary/ferryservices.htm |archive-date=19 November 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> Junks, once common in Hong Kong waters, are no longer widely available and are used privately and for tourism.<ref>{{harvnb|Tatlow|2017}}.</ref> The large size of the port gives Hong Kong the classification of Large-Port Metropolis.<ref name=tss />

===Utilities=== {{Main|Energy in Hong Kong|Electricity sector in Hong Kong|Water supply and sanitation in Hong Kong}}

[[File:Overlook Lamma Power Station.jpg|thumb|Lamma Power Station, a coal power plant on Lamma Island owned by Hongkong Electric]] Hong Kong generates most of its electricity locally.<ref name="energystats2016p1">{{harvnb|Energy Statistics Report|2017|p=1}}</ref> The vast majority of this energy comes from fossil fuels, with 46% from coal and 47% from petroleum.<ref>{{harvnb|Energy Statistics Report|2017|p=9}}</ref> The rest is from other imports, including nuclear energy generated in mainland China.<ref>{{harvnb|Energy Statistics Report|2017|p=29}}</ref> Renewable sources account for a negligible amount of energy generated for the territory.<ref>{{harvnb|Energy Statistics Report|2017|p=6}}</ref> Small-scale wind-power sources have been developed,<ref name="energystats2016p1" /> and a small number of private homes and public buildings have installed solar panels.<ref>{{harvnb|Chan|2017}}.</ref>

With few natural lakes and rivers, high population density, inaccessible groundwater sources, and extremely seasonal rainfall, the territory lacks a reliable freshwater supply. The Dong River in Guangdong supplies 70% of the city's water,<ref name="LeeWater">{{harvnb|Lee|2013}}.</ref> with the remaining demand met by harvesting rainwater locally.<ref>{{harvnb|Water Supply Facts|2016}}.</ref> Toilets in most built-up areas of the territory flush with seawater, which reduces freshwater use.<ref name="LeeWater" />

Broadband Internet access is widely available, with 99.3% of households connected. Connections over fibre-optic infrastructure are increasingly prevalent,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ofca.gov.hk/en/media_focus/data_statistics/key_stat/ |title=Key Communications Statistics |publisher=Office of the Communications Authority |access-date=8 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180620153354/https://www.ofca.gov.hk/en/media_focus/data_statistics/key_stat/ |archive-date=20 June 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> contributing to the high regional average connection speed of 21.9 Mbit/s (the world's fourth-fastest).<ref>{{harvnb|Akamai's State of the Internet|2017|p=54}}</ref> Mobile-phone use is ubiquitous;<ref>{{harvnb|IT and Internet Usage|2017|p=9}}.</ref> there are almost 22 million mobile-phone accounts registered in Hong Kong,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hong Kong (China) mobile cellular subscriptions 2000–2022 |url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/498360/number-of-mobile-cellular-subscriptions-in-hong-kong-china/#:~:text=The%20number%20of%20mobile-cellular,in%202021,%20to%2021.9%20million. |access-date=2024-10-15 |website=Statista |language=en}}</ref> which is almost triple the territory's population.

==Culture== {{Main|Culture of Hong Kong}}

Hong Kong culture is characterised as a hybrid of Eastern and Western culture. Traditional Chinese values emphasising family and education blend with Western ideals, including economic liberty and the rule of law.<ref>{{harvnb|Carroll|2007|p=169}}.</ref> Although the vast majority of the population is ethnically Chinese, Hong Kong has developed a distinct identity. The territory diverged from the mainland through its long period of colonial administration and a different pace of economic, social, and cultural development. Mainstream culture was derived from immigrants originating from various parts of China; it was then influenced by British-style education, a separate political system, and the territory's rapid development during the late 20th century.<ref>{{harvnb|Carroll|2007|pp=167–172}}.</ref><ref>{{harvnb|He|2013}}.</ref> Most migrants of that era fled poverty and war, reflected in the prevailing attitude toward wealth; Hongkongers would tend to link self-image and decision-making to material benefits.<ref>{{harvnb|Tam|2017}}.</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Lam|2015}}.</ref> Residents' sense of local identity has increased post-handover: polling in December 2022 had 32% of respondents identifying as "Hongkongers", 34.1% identifying as "Hongkongers in China" 45.9% purporting a "Mixed Identity", 20.5% identifying as "Chinese" and 11.9% identifying as "Chinese in Hong Kong".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-12-09 |title=Categorical Ethnic Identity – HKPORI – 香港民意研究所 |url=https://www.pori.hk/pop-poll/ethnic-identity-en/q001.html?lang=en |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240305222442/https://www.pori.hk/pop-poll/ethnic-identity-en/q001.html?lang=en |archive-date=2024-03-05 |website=Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute |language=en}}</ref>

Traditional Chinese family values, including family honour, filial piety, and a preference for sons, are prevalent.<ref>{{harvnb|Family Survey|2013|pp=12–13}}.</ref> Nuclear families are the most common households, although multi-generational and extended families are not unusual.<ref>{{harvnb|Population By-Census|2021|p=77}}.</ref> Spiritual concepts such as ''feng shui'' are observed; large-scale construction projects often hire consultants to ensure proper building positioning and layout. The degree of its adherence to ''feng shui'' is believed to determine a business's success.<ref name="FengShui" /> ''Bagua'' mirrors are regularly used to deflect evil spirits,<ref>{{harvnb|Fowler|Fowler|2008|p=263}}.</ref> and buildings often lack floor numbers with a 4;<ref>{{harvnb|Xi|Ingham|2003|p=181}}.</ref> the number has a similar sound to the word for "die" in Cantonese.<ref>{{harvnb|Chan|Chow|2006|p=3}}.</ref>

===Cuisine=== {{Main|Hong Kong cuisine}}

{{Multiple image |direction=horizontal |align=right |caption_align=center |total_width=350 |image1=Dim Sum Breakfast.jpg |height1=600 |width1=800 |alt1=An assortment of items in a Dim Sum breakfast meal |image2=Cha Chaan Teng.jpg |height2=1200 |width2=1600 |alt2=French Toast on left, Milk Tea on right |footer=Typical fare at a dim sum restaurant (left); ''cha chaan teng'' breakfast food with Hong Kong-style milk tea (right) }}

Food in Hong Kong is primarily based on Cantonese cuisine, despite the territory's exposure to foreign influences and its residents' varied origins. Rice is the staple food, and is usually served plain with other dishes.<ref name="LongHKFood">{{harvnb|Long|2015|p=271}}.</ref> Freshness of ingredients is emphasised. Poultry and seafood are commonly sold live at wet markets, and ingredients are used as quickly as possible when still fresh.<ref>{{harvnb|Curry|Hanstedt|2014|pp=9–12}}.</ref> There are up to five daily meals: breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, and ''siu yeh''.<ref>{{harvnb|Long|2015|p=272}}.</ref> Dim sum, as part of ''yum cha'' (brunch), is a dining-out tradition with family and friends. Dishes include congee, ''cha siu bao'', ''siu yuk'', egg tarts, and mango pudding. Local versions of Western food are served at ''cha chaan teng'' (Hong Kong-style cafes). Common ''cha chaan teng'' menu items include macaroni in soup, deep-fried French toast, and Hong Kong-style milk tea.<ref name="LongHKFood" />

As of 2025, the Michelin Guide listed 76 starred restaurants in total. It awarded 7 restaurants 3 Michelin Stars, 11 restaurants with 2 Michelin Stars, and 58 restaurants with 1 Michelin Star. It also gave 4 Green Stars for sustainability, Amber, Feuille, Mora, and Roganic. Alongside the starred list, 65 restaurants received Bib Gourmand status for good quality food at good value.

===Language=== {{main|Languages of Hong Kong}}

The predominant language today is Cantonese, a variety of Chinese originating in Guangzhou. It is spoken by 93.7% of the population, 88.2% as a first language and 5.5% as a second language.<ref name="2021By-CensusLanguages">{{harvnb|Population By-Census|2021|pp=31, 51–52}}</ref> Slightly over half the population (58.7%) speaks English, the other official language;<ref name="OfficialLanguagesOrd">{{harvnb|Official Languages Ordinance}}.</ref> 4.6% are native speakers, and 54.1% speak English as a second language.<ref name="2021By-CensusLanguages" /> Code-switching, mixing English and Cantonese in informal conversation, is common among the bilingual population.<ref>{{harvnb|Lee|2012}}.</ref> Post-handover governments have promoted Mandarin, which is currently about as prevalent as English; 54.2% of the population speaks Mandarin, with 2.3% native speakers and 51.9% as a second language.<ref name="2021By-CensusLanguages" /> Traditional Chinese characters are used in writing, rather than the simplified characters used in the mainland.<ref>{{harvnb|Developing a Supplementary Guide to the Chinese Language Curriculum for Non-Chinese Speaking Students|2008|p=9}}</ref>

Before the First Opium War, Hong Kong had no significant Cantonese-speaking population. Instead, most people spoke Hakka varieties. However, large areas with speakers of other Yue Chinese varieties, namely Weitou and Tanka, speakers can be found in the northern New Territories and southern coastal areas, respectively. Hong Kong Hakka is a variety of Neo-Hakka, and belongs to the {{ill|Mei-Hui Hakka|zh|梅惠小片}} subbranch of {{ill|Yuetai Hakka|zh|粵台客語}}, making it closely related to that of Meixian.<ref>{{cite book|last=Lau|first=Chun-fat|isbn=9789888760046|title={{lang|zh|香港客家話研究}}|lang=zh|year=2021|publisher=Chung Hwa Book Company|pages=2–3, 8–9}}</ref> Weitou Yue is a variety that is closely related to the Yue Chinese varieties spoken in Bao'an and Dongguan, and was the primary language of the Five Great Clans of the New Territories, brought into Hong Kong during the Song dynasty from Jiangxi.<ref name = "distributionNT">{{citation|last1=Chang|first1=Song Hing|last2=Wan|first2=Bo|last3=Zhuang|first3=Chusheng|trans-title=A Study of the Geographic Distribution of Dialects in the New Territories before Urbanisation (A Summary)|journal=Journal of Chinese Studies|year=1999|issue=8|pages=361–396|title={{lang|zh|香港新界方言調查報告}}|lang=zh}}</ref> Some of the native Yue Chinese varieties were noticeably Hakka-influenced.<ref>{{citation|last=Lau|first=Chun-Fat|title={{lang|zh|香港新界大埔汀角話概述}}|year=2018|volume=97|number=1|institution=Xiamen University|journal=Current Research in Chinese Linguistics|pages=111–120|trans-title=A Brief Introducation to the Tingkok Dialect of Taipo, New Territories of Hong kong|location=Xiamen}}</ref> Smaller communities of Hokkien speakers also existed, and many villages hosted more than one ethnolinguistic group.<ref name="distributionNT" />

Today, communities of speakers of other Chinese varieties (such as Teochew, Sze Yap, Hokkien, and Shanghainese) also live in Hong Kong. Southeast Asian languages such as Tagalog and Malay-Indonesian speaking communities also live in Hong Kong. Other minority languages with significant speaker bases in Hong Kong include French, Dutch, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, Hindustani, Japanese, and Korean, among others.<ref>{{citation|last1=Bacon-Shone|first1=J|last2=Balton|first2=K|last3=Lee|first3=S. L.|last4=Bacon-Shone|first4=G.|year=2024|title=Hong Kong Language Maps|location=Hong Kong|institution=University of Hong Kong Social Sciences Research Centre|url=https://www.ssrc.hku.hk/hklangmaps/index_16o.html|access-date=23 January 2025|archive-date=21 March 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250321003239/https://www.ssrc.hku.hk/hklangmaps/index_16o.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Cinema=== {{Main|Cinema of Hong Kong}}

Hong Kong developed into a filmmaking hub during the late 1940s as a wave of Shanghai filmmakers migrated to the territory, and these movie veterans helped build the colony's entertainment industry over the next decade.<ref>{{harvnb|Fu|2008|pp=381, 388–389}}.</ref> By the 1960s, the city was well known to overseas audiences through films such as ''The World of Suzie Wong''.<ref>{{harvnb|Carroll|2007|p=148}}.</ref> When Bruce Lee's ''The Way of the Dragon'' released in 1972 and Enter the Dragon in 1973, local productions became popular outside Hong Kong. During the 1980s and 1900s, films such as ''A Better Tomorrow'', ''As Tears Go By'', ''God of Gamblers'', ''Police Story'' and ''Zu Warriors from the Magic Mountain'' expanded global interest beyond martial arts films; locally made gangster films, romantic dramas, and supernatural fantasies became popular.<ref>{{harvnb|Carroll|2007|p=168}}.</ref> [[File:Jackie Chan Cannes.jpg|thumb|271x271px|Jackie Chan]] Hong Kong cinema continued to be internationally successful over the following decades with critically acclaimed movies and dramas such as ''Farewell My Concubine'', ''To Live'', ''Shaolin Soccer'', ''Kung Fu Hustle'', ''Ip Man'' '',Drunken Master II'', ''In the Mood for Love'' and ''Chungking Express''. The city's martial arts film roots are evident in the roles of the most prolific Hong Kong actors. Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, Stephen Chow, Jet Li, Chow Yun-fat, Donnie Yen, Tony Leung, Karen Mok, Maggie Q and Michelle Yeoh are some of the most popular and well known actors and actresses. Hong Kong films have also grown popular in overseas markets such as Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Taiwan and the US, earning the city the moniker "Hollywood of the East".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chu |first=Karen |date=16 February 2023 |title=Berlin Spotlight: How Hong Kong's Film Industry Made a Surprise Comeback |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/hong-kong-film-industry-comeback-berlin-1235326295/ |access-date=22 February 2023 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}</ref> At the height of the local movie industry in the early 1990s, over 400 films were produced each year; since then, industry momentum has shifted to mainland China. The number of films produced annually has declined to about 60 in 2017.<ref>{{harvnb|Ge|2017}}.</ref>

===Music=== {{Main|Music of Hong Kong}}

{{Multiple image | direction = horizontal | align = right | caption_align = center | total_width = 280 | image1 = Leslie Cheung in Madame Tussauds Hong Kong (cropped).jpg | width1 = 300 | alt1 = Leslie Cheung with a microphone | image2 = Andy Lau 刘德华, Beijing International Film Festival 北京电影节, 2013 (cropped).jpg | width2 = 420 | alt2 = A serious-looking Andy Lau, seated and wearing a suit | footer = Leslie Cheung (left) is considered a pioneering Cantopop artist, and Andy Lau has been an icon of Hong Kong music and film for several decades as a member of the Four Heavenly Kings. }}

Cantopop is a genre of Cantonese popular music which emerged in Hong Kong during the 1970s. Evolving from Shanghai-style ''shidaiqu'', it is also influenced by Cantonese opera and Western pop.<ref>{{harvnb|Chu|2017|pp=1–9, 24–25}}.</ref> Local media featured songs by artists and bands such as Sam Hui, Anita Mui, Leslie Cheung, Alan Tam, Hacken Lee and Beyond ; during the 1980s, exported films and shows exposed Cantopop to a global audience.<ref>{{harvnb|Chu|2017|pp=77–85}}.</ref> The genre's popularity peaked in the 1990s, when the Four Heavenly Kings dominated Asian record charts.<ref>{{harvnb|Chu|2017|pp=107–116}}.</ref> Despite a general decline since late in the decade,<ref>{{harvnb|Chu|2017|pp=9–10}}.</ref> Cantopop remains dominant in Hong Kong; contemporary artists such as Eason Chan, Jackson Wang, Joey Yung, G.E.M., Tyson Yoshi, Twins and Mirror are popular in the territory and around the world.<ref>{{harvnb|Chu|2017|pp=159–164}}.</ref>

Western classical music has historically had a strong presence in Hong Kong and remains a large part of local musical education.<ref>{{harvnb|Smith|Moir|Brennan|Rambarran|2017|p=101}}</ref> The publicly funded Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, the territory's oldest professional symphony orchestra, and frequently hosts musicians and conductors from all over the world. The Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, composed of classical Chinese instruments, is the leading Chinese ensemble and plays a significant role in promoting traditional music in the city.<ref>{{harvnb|Ho|2011|p=147}}.</ref>

Hong Kong has never had a separate national anthem from the country that controlled it; its current official national anthem is therefore that of the People's Republic of China, "March of the Volunteers". The song "Glory to Hong Kong" has been used by protestors as an unofficial anthem of the city.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://qz.com/1707883/glory-to-hong-kong-is-citys-new-unofficial-anthem/|title=Singing showdowns in Hong Kong pit the city's unofficial new anthem against China's|author-first1=Vivienne |author-last1=Chow|date=12 September 2019|work=Quartz|access-date=15 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190913230100/https://qz.com/1707883/glory-to-hong-kong-is-citys-new-unofficial-anthem/|archive-date=13 September 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=Listen to the Song That Hong Kong's Youthful Protesters Are Calling Their 'National Anthem' |url=https://time.com/5672018/glory-to-hong-kong-protests-national-anthem/ |access-date=16 November 2022 |magazine=TIME |date=12 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220124103722/https://time.com/5672018/glory-to-hong-kong-protests-national-anthem/ |archive-date=24 January 2022}}</ref>

===Galleries and museums=== [[File:WKCD M+, 2021.11.jpg|thumb|'''M+'''|240x240px]] [[File:Hong Kong Art Museum（2022）.jpg|thumb|Hong Kong Museum of Art ]] Hong Kong is home to a wide range of museums, galleries, and cultural institutions, and is regarded as one of Asia's leading centres for art, heritage, and visual culture. Major cultural development in the city has taken place in the West Kowloon Cultural District, a large arts and museum quarter on reclaimed land in Kowloon. Its best known institutions include M+, a museum of visual culture focused on 20th and 21st century art, design, architecture, and moving image, and the Hong Kong Palace Museum, which displays Chinese artworks and artefacts. Apart from West Kowloon, Hong Kong has many additional museums across the territory. The Hong Kong Museum of Art in Tsim Sha Tsui houses collections of Chinese antiquities, calligraphy, painting, and Hong Kong art. The Hong Kong Heritage Museum in Sha Tin focuses on history, art, and local popular culture, with exhibitions on Cantonese opera, film, and design. The Hong Kong Museum of History presents the development of Hong Kong from prehistoric times to the present, while the Hong Kong Science Museum and Hong Kong Space Museum are among the city's main public institutions devoted to science and education. Tai Kwun, a former police station and prison compound in Central, has been revitalised as a centre for heritage and contemporary art, and hosts exhibitions, performances, and public programmes. [[File:Tai Kwun Parade Ground 201806.jpg|thumb|260x260px|Tai Kwun]] Hong Kong also has a large commercial and independent gallery scene. Central district has long been the city's main gallery district, with international auction houses and global galleries operating alongside local art spaces. Wong Chuk Hang has developed into another important arts area, with former industrial buildings converted into galleries, studios, and exhibition venues. The city hosts major international art events, including Art Basel Hong Kong and Art Central, which attract galleries, collectors, and artists from around the world.

===Sport=== {{Main|Sport in Hong Kong}}

The city has hosted numerous major sporting events, including the inaugural AFC Asian Cup, the 2008 Summer Olympics equestrian events, the 2009 East Asian Games, the Rugby World Cup Sevens in 1997 and 2005, the 2005 World Squash Championships and 2025 World Grand Prix (snooker).<ref name="ShenKee">{{harvnb|Shen|Kee|2017|p=247}}.</ref>

The territory regularly hosts the Hong Kong Sevens, Hong Kong Marathon, Hong Kong Open (tennis), Hong Kong Tennis Classic and LIV Golf Hong Kong. Hong Kong represents itself separately from mainland China, with its own sports teams in international competitions.<ref name="ShenKee"/> The territory has participated in almost every Summer Olympics since 1952 (with the exception of its support of the 1980 Summer Olympics boycott) and has earned nine medals. Lee Lai-shan won the territory's first Olympic gold medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics,<ref>{{harvnb|Lam|Chang|2005|p=141}}.</ref> and Cheung Ka Long won the second one in Tokyo 2020.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Shum |first1=Michael |last2=Chow |first2=Carine |title=FENCE-TASTIC! Cheung Ka-long wins gold for HK |url=https://www.thestandard.com.hk/section-news/section/11/232551/Fence-tastic! |access-date=27 July 2021 |work=The Standard |date=27 July 2021}}</ref> Hong Kong athletes have won 126 medals at the Paralympic Games and 17 at the Commonwealth Games. Although they are longer part of the Commonwealth of Nations, the city's last appearance was in 1994.<ref>{{harvnb|Lam|Chang|2005|p=99}}.</ref> [[File:Happy Valley Racecourse-001.jpg|thumb|280x280px|Happy Valley Racecourse and Hong Kong Jockey Club]] Sporting leagues in Hong Kong include, Hong Kong Premier League, Hong Kong Premiership (rugby union), Hong Kong A1 Division Championship and the Hong Kong Ice Hockey League. Famous local sporting clubs include Hong Kong Football Club, South China Athletic Association, Kitchee SC and Hong Kong Eastern.

Hong Kong sports has been described as "Club Life". Some clubs have documented their history thoroughly, while others have disappeared along with their past.

{{div col|colwidth=18em}} * Hong Kong Cricket Club * Craigengower Cricket Club * Kowloon Cricket Club * Kowloon Bowling Green Club * Indian Recreation Club * Chinese Recreation Club * Filipino Club * United Services Recreation Club * Club de Recreio * Club Lusitano * Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club * Aberdeen Boat Club {{div col end}}

Dragon boat races originated as a religious ceremony conducted during the annual Tuen Ng Festival. The race was revived as a modern sport as part of the Tourism Board's efforts to promote Hong Kong's image abroad. The first modern competition was organised in 1976, and overseas teams began competing in the first international race in 1993.<ref>{{harvnb|Sofield|Sivan|2003}}.</ref>

The Hong Kong Jockey Club, the territory's largest taxpayer,<ref name="JockeyClub">{{harvnb|Littlewood|2010|pp=16–17}}.</ref> has a monopoly on gambling and provides over 7% of government revenue.<ref>{{harvnb|Inland Revenue Annual Report|2017|p=4}}</ref> Three forms of gambling are legal in Hong Kong: lotteries, horse racing, and football.<ref name="JockeyClub" />

===Entertainment and leisure=== [[File:LKF Xmas 02.jpg|thumb|213x213px|Lan Kwai Fong]] Hong Kong has a dense mix of nightlife, live events, and major theme parks. Nightlife centres on Central, especially Lan Kwai Fong (LKF), with a high concentration of bars and clubs in walkable streets.

Bar culture in the city also draws global attention. Bar Leone was ranked No. 1 on The World's 50 Best Bars in 2025. Coa was ranked Asia's Best Bar in 2021, 2022 and 2023. [[File:Hong Kong Disneyland Main Street Vehicles Taxi.jpg|thumb|280x280px|Hong Kong Disneyland ]] Hong Kong has two theme parks. Hong Kong Disneyland on Lantau Island is a major theme park and resort destination. Ocean Park Hong Kong combines rides and animal exhibits, with zones across the Waterfront and Summit areas.

For big events, Kai Tak Sports Park anchors the city's newest entertainment hub, built on the former airport site, with a 50,000-seat main stadium and a retractable roof. Hong Kong Stadium remains a key venue for football and major fixtures in Causeway Bay, with a capacity of 40,116. AsiaWorld-Expo near the airport hosts concerts, exhibitions, and large-scale conventions across multiple halls and an arena-style space. Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre is the core waterfront venue in Wan Chai for exhibitions, meetings, and shows.

==Spectator sports== ===Badminton=== thumb|Tiu Keng Leng Sports Centre Badminton courts Badminton stands as one of the most popular and historically significant sports in Hong Kong,<ref name="Sport in Hong Kong"/> governed by the Badminton Association of Hong Kong, China since its establishment in 1934. The sport is designated as a Tier A elite discipline at the Hong Kong Sports Institute, which provides world-class training and scientific support to the national squad. This institutional backing has allowed the city to consistently produce top-tier talent capable of competing at the BWF World Tour and the Olympic Games.

The current professional landscape is highlighted by the mixed doubles pairing of Tang Chun-man and Tse Ying-suet, who achieved a career-high world ranking of number two. The duo remains a dominant force on the international circuit, recently securing a historic gold medal at the 2025 Badminton Asia Championships and a podium finish at the 2026 All England Open. In the men's singles discipline, Ng Ka-long Angus has been a mainstay of the global top ten, reaching a peak ranking of number six. He is supported by teammate Lee Cheuk-yiu, a former Hong Kong Open champion who has maintained a strong international presence with a career-high ranking of thirteen. On the local front, the sport enjoys immense participation through a robust network of community clubs and school programs. The annual Hong Kong Open, a BWF World Tour Super 500 event held at the Hong Kong Coliseum.

===Basketball=== {{see also|Hong Kong men's national basketball team}} Basketball is one of the most popular sports in Hong Kong,<ref name="Sport in Hong Kong"/> with the A1 Division Championship serving as the city's top-tier amateur league since 1954. Historically, the sport gained regional prominence through the success of clubs like Regal, which won the 1997 ABC Champions Cup, and more recently, Hong Kong Eastern. Eastern transitioned to a fully professional model in 2016 and has since secured multiple domestic titles, including the 2024 and 2026 A1 Division crowns. The club also competes internationally in the East Asia Super League and the PBA Commissioner's Cup as a guest team. In addition to traditional 5-on-5 basketball, Hong Kong has become a significant hub for 3x3 basketball, hosting annual FIBA 3x3 World Tour events such as the Hong Kong Masters. The city's basketball infrastructure reached a new milestone in 2025 with the opening of the Kai Tak Arena within the Kai Tak Sports Park. This 10,000-seat multi-purpose venue now serves as a major site for international tournaments and professional games, including home matches for the Hong Kong Bulls in the National Basketball League (NBL). While the new arena hosts large-scale events, the Southorn Stadium in Wan Chai remains a cherished venue for domestic playoffs and community-level competitions.

===Cricket=== {{main|Cricket in Hong Kong}}

Cricket in Hong Kong has been played since at least 1841. Like most cricketing nations, it was part of the British Empire. The national cricket team has been active since 1866, and the Hong Kong Cricket Association was granted associate membership of the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 1969. Hong Kong hosted the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes, an ICC sanctioned event that features teams of six players in a six over competition annually till 2012. The Hong Kong Cricket Team qualified for 2014 ICC World Twenty20 and caused a major upset by defeating hosts Bangladesh.thumb|270x270px|Dragon Boat racing in Hong Kong.

===Dragon boat racing=== Dragon boat racing is one of the most popular sports in Hong Kong.<ref name="Sport in Hong Kong">[https://www.topendsports.com/world/countries/hong-kong.htm Sport in Hong Kong]</ref> The traditional Chinese sport of dragon boat racing was originally held as part of the Duan Wu festivities in Hong Kong. It is now spread internationally with races held all around the world. The Hong Kong Dragon Boat Association was a founding member of the international and regional governing bodies for dragon boat racing: The International Dragon Boat Federation and Asian Dragon Boat Federation. The oldest International Festival Races are those held in Hong Kong annually. The HKIR have been held since 1976 and are acknowledged as starting the modern era of the dragon boatsport.

===Fencing=== Fencing in Hong Kong has evolved from a minority colonial-era activity into one of the city's elite sports, governed by the Fencing Association of Hong Kong, China (FAHKC). Established in 1949 as the Hong Kong Amateur Fencing Association, the sport initially grew through military tournaments and was later introduced to schools in the 1960s. Since the 1990s, a strategic focus on specific disciplines-notably women's épée and later men's foil has been supported by the Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI). This institutional backing, combined with a robust talent pipeline, transitioned the city from a regional competitor at the 2010 Asian Games to a global powerhouse in the 2020s.

The sport reached its peak during the 2020 and 2024 Olympic Games. Cheung Ka-long became a national icon by winning back-to-back gold medals in men's individual foil, while Vivian Kong secured gold in women's individual épée in Paris 2024.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Siu |first=Phila |title=Hong Kong foil fencer Cheung Ka-long wins Olympic gold |url=https://www.scmp.com/yp/discover/news/sports/article/3142579/tokyo-olympics-hong-kong-fencer-cheung-ka-long-makes-it|access-date=26 July 2021|website=Young Post, SCMP}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.prestigeonline.com/hk/people/vivian-kong-hong-kong-womens-epee-fencing-olympic-gold-medal-news/#google_vignette|title=Fencer Vivian Kong Secures Hong Kong's First Gold Medal at Paris Olympics 2024|date=30 July 2024}}</ref> These achievements triggered a significant "fencing fever" in the city, leading to a surge in local participation; registered members of the FAHKC grew from approximately 1,300 in 2019 to over 3,000 by 2026. To support this growth, the government and HKSI opened a new dedicated fencing hall in early 2025, and Hong Kong was selected to host the 2026 World Fencing Championships.[[File:HK Asian Cup group photo.jpg|thumb|245x245px|Hong Kong National Football Team]]

===Football=== {{main|Football in Hong Kong}}

Football is one of the most popular sports in Hong Kong, with the Hong Kong Premier League being the only fully professional sports league in the city.<ref name="Sport in Hong Kong"/><ref>{{cite web|author-last1=Chan |author-first1=Kin-wa |url=https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/1412930/football-will-die-hong-kong-without-funding-under-project-phoenix |title='Football will die' in Hong Kong without funding under Project Phoenix|website=South China Morning Post|date=2014-01-24 |access-date=2014-02-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.timeout.com.hk/big-smog/features/53675/tackling-the-football-crisis.html |title=Time Out Hong Kong | Big Smog | Hong Kong news, current affairs, politics and social issues | Tackling the football crisis |publisher=Timeout.com.hk |date=2012-09-24 |access-date=2014-02-06 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304101141/http://www.timeout.com.hk/big-smog/features/53675/tackling-the-football-crisis.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=SCMP Editorial |url=https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1401795/soccer-hong-kong-needs-clean-its-act-win-back-fans |title=Soccer in Hong Kong needs to clean up its act to win back fans | South China Morning Post |publisher=Scmp.com |date=2014-01-24 |access-date=2014-02-06}}</ref> For decades, the sport centered on the iconic Hong Kong Stadium in Causeway Bay, a 40,000-seat venue famous for hosting the Lunar New Year Cup and major international exhibitions. However, the landscape of Hong Kong football changed significantly with the 2025 opening of the Kai Tak Sports Park. Built on the site of the former airport, the park features the state-of-the-art Kai Tak Stadium, which boasts a 50,000-seat capacity, a retractable roof, and a striking "Pearl of the Orient" facade. Since its inauguration, Kai Tak Stadium has replaced Hong Kong Stadium as the primary home for the national team and high-profile international events. It hosted a historic sell-out crowd for Hong Kong's 1–0 victory over India in June 2025 and served as a flagship venue for the 15th National Games later that year. The stadium also attracted global attention during the 2025 Hong Kong Football Festival, hosting elite European matchups including a record-breaking North London Derby between Arsenal and Tottenham. As Kai Tak becomes the city's premier sports hub, the government is moving forward with plans to downsize the original Hong Kong Stadium to around 9,000 seats to serve as a community sports ground and office hub for local athletic associations.

===Golf=== Golf has been played in Hong Kong ever since the establishment of the Hong Kong Golf Club in 1889. The club, which has hosted the Hong Kong Open every year since 1959, has two sites Fanling, which is home to three championship-calibre courses, and Deep Water Bay, a short nine-hole course in southern Hong Kong Island. Hong Kong Golf Club is considered among the premier golf clubs in Asia and, despite being a private club, it is open to visitors from Mondays through Fridays. Beyond Fanling, the city features other prominent courses such as the Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club and Discovery Bay Golf Club, as well as the Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau Public Golf Course, which is the city's only truly public golf facility. In recent years, Hong Kong has expanded its profile as a global golf destination by hosting high-profile international competitions like LIV Golf Hong Kong, which debuted at Fanling in 2024 and returned in 2025 and 2026.

===Horse racing=== [[File:HKIR 20231210 Hong Kong Cup (racing).jpg|thumb|260x260px|Longines Hong Kong International Races]] Horse racing is by far the most popular spectator sport in Hong Kong and generates the largest horse race gambling turnover in the world. British tradition left its mark as one of the most important entertainment and gambling institutions in Hong Kong. Established as the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club in 1884, the non-profit organization conducts nearly 700 races every season at the two race tracks in Happy Valley and Sha Tin. The sport annually draws in over 11% of Hong Kong's tax revenue. Off-track betting is available from overseas bookmakers. In 2009, betting on horse races generated an average US$12.7 million in gambling turnover per race, 6 times larger than its closest rival France at US$2 million while the United States only generated $250,000. Some consider betting on horse races an investment.

===Lacrosse=== Hong Kong men's national lacrosse team is one of Asia's top teams. It has qualified for the World Lacrosse Championship for the fifth consecutive time.

Hong Kong has sent national teams to the Under-19 World Lacrosse Championships.<ref>[https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1108412/lacrosse-world-u21 Record 23 lacrosse teams to play at Men's Under-21 World Championship] Ali Iveson (Inside the Games), 30 May 2021. Accessed 9 June 2021.</ref>

In October 2021, Hong Kong's women's lacrosse team won bronze Dalmatia Cup in Split, Croatia. In its preparation for the World Lacrosse Women's World Championship, Hong Kong beat the Czech Republic 8–4 as team captain Daphne Li won the tournament MVP award. Head coach was Jenifer Marrosu.

===Rugby union=== {{main|Rugby union in Hong Kong}}

The Hong Kong Rugby Football Union was founded in 1953. Rugby is long established, partly as a result of its being a British colony.

Hong Kong Sevens is held annually in Hong Kong and is considered the premier tournament on the World Rugby Sevens Series competition.

Hong Kong national rugby union team is ranked 23rd in the world with a peak rating of 21st (2018–2022).Hong Kong is one of the best teams in Asia and has finished first place in the Asia Rugby Championship in 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025. They qualified for the 2027 Rugby World Cup for the first time by winning the 2025 Asia Rugby Championship.

The Hong Kong national rugby sevens team is widely reguarded as the best rugby sevens team in Asia and regular participant in the Rugby World Cup Sevens. Hong Kong has won the Asian Sevens Series a record 8 times and the Asian Games 2 times.

===Sailing=== Hong Kong has a strong sailing scene built around racing, training, cruising, and youth development. The main governing body is the Sailing Federation of Hong Kong, China, which acts as the national authority for the sport and works to develop sailing across the city. Hong Kong also has an elite pathway, with sailing supported through the Hong Kong Sports Institute.

The scene ranges from high-profile regattas like the Around the Island Race to casual harbor cruising, with major clubs like the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club and Hebe Haven Yacht Club offering extensive courses, racing, and social scenes for all levels.

The sport is shaped by Hong Kong's geography. You have open water, sheltered bays, island channels, and a long coastline, which gives sailors a mix of harbour racing, coastal sailing, and training waters. A major centre of the scene is the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, which runs sailing activity across Kellett Island in Causeway Bay, Middle Island in Repulse Bay, and Shelter Cove near Sai Kung.

===Table Tennis=== Hong Kong has a strong table tennis scene built around competition, training, grassroots development, and elite performance. The main governing body is the Hong Kong, China Table Tennis Association, which acts as the national authority for the sport and works to develop table tennis across the city. Hong Kong also has an elite pathway, with table tennis supported through the Hong Kong Sports Institute, which has produced world-ranked players and Olympic medalists.

The scene ranges from high-profile international tournaments like the ITTF World Table Tennis Championships and WTT Champions events held at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium, to casual play in community halls, with major training centres like the Hang Seng Table Tennis Academy and local district clubs offering extensive coaching, leagues, and social play for all levels.

==Education== {{Main|Education in Hong Kong}}

[[File:Bishop's House, Anglican Church, Hong Kong.JPG|thumb|Former campus of St. Paul's College, the first school established in the colonial era]]

Education in Hong Kong is managed primarily by the Hong Kong Education Bureau and is largely modelled on that of the United Kingdom, particularly the English system.<ref>{{harvnb|Chan|Leung|2003|p=24}}.</ref> Children are required to attend school from age 6 until the completion of secondary education, generally at age 18.<ref name=nss>{{cite web |url=http://www.edb.gov.hk/en/edu-system/primary-secondary/secondary/highlights/index.html |title=Programme Highlights |publisher=Hong Kong Government |access-date=20 October 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130824010442/http://www.edb.gov.hk/en/edu-system/primary-secondary/secondary/highlights/index.html |archive-date=24 August 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="HKEduLi">{{cite web |url=http://news.gov.hk/en/category/ontherecord/050518/html/050518en11001.htm |title=Creating a better education system |last=Li |first=Arthur |date=18 May 2005 |publisher=Hong Kong Government |access-date=17 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080303190339/http://www.news.gov.hk/en/category/ontherecord/050518/html/050518en11001.htm |archive-date=3 March 2008}}</ref> At the end of secondary schooling, local school students take a public examination and are awarded the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education upon successful completion of the exam.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hkeaa.edu.hk/en/hkdse/ |title=HKDSE |date=12 October 2010 |publisher=Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority |access-date=20 October 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101016060315/http://www.hkeaa.edu.hk/en/HkDSE |archive-date=16 October 2010 }}</ref>

Of residents aged 15 and older, 81% completed lower-secondary education, 66% graduated from an upper secondary school, 32% attended a non-degree tertiary program, and 24% earned a bachelor's degree or higher.<ref>{{harvnb|Women and Men in Hong Kong Key Statistics|2017|p=66}}</ref>

Mandatory education has contributed to an adult literacy rate of 95.7%.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.socialindicators.org.hk/en/indicators/education/7.7 |title=Adult literacy rate |publisher=The Hong Kong Council of Social Service |access-date=27 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171228172415/https://www.socialindicators.org.hk/en/indicators/education/7.7 |archive-date=28 December 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> This literacy rate is lower than that of other developed economies because of the influx of refugees from mainland China during the post-war colonial era; much of the elderly population were not formally educated because of war and poverty.<ref>{{harvnb|Cheng|Lum|Lam|Fung|2013}}.</ref><ref>{{harvnb|UNESCO Literacy Rates|2017|p=8}}.</ref>

Comprehensive schools fall into three categories: government-run public schools; subsidised schools, including government-aided and grant schools; and private schools, often run by religious organisations, that base admissions on academic merit. These schools are subject to the Education Bureau's curriculum guidelines. Private schools subsidised under the Direct Subsidy Scheme, and international schools fall outside of this system and may elect to use differing curricula and teach using other languages.<ref name="HKEduLi"/>

Hong Kong students perform exceptionally well in global benchmarks. In PISA 2022 (latest available results), Hong Kong ranked in the top tier worldwide; 4th in mathematics and top 10 in reading and science. This places it well above the OECD average and among the highest-performing systems globally.<ref>{{Cite web |last=OECD |date=2023-12-04 |title=Hong Kong (China) |url=https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/pisa-2022-results-volume-i-and-ii-country-notes_ed6fbcc5-en/hong-kong-china_0243d723-en.html |access-date=2026-02-21 |website=OECD |language=en}}</ref> [[File:St. Paul's Co-educational College 2021.jpg|thumb|263x263px|St. Paul's Co-educational College]] Schools in Hong Kong offer a wide range of curriculums, the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education, International Baccalaureate, GCE A-level, IGCSEs and Advanced Placement are most popular.

Hong Kong Schools offer world-class education with top-tier, high-ranking schools such as St Paul's Co-educational College ranked 2nd in Global Top IB Schools 2025 with a 42.4 average score. While schools such as Diocesan Boys' School and German Swiss International School respectively also rank within the top 10.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Global Top IB Schools |url=https://ib-schools.com/league-tables/global-top-ib-schools |access-date=2026-02-21 |website=IB-Schools |language=en}}</ref> [[File:Hong Kong International School.JPG|thumb|280x280px|Hong Kong International School]] German Swiss International School 91% of all grades awarded to Year 11 students were A*/A or 9/8/7 level.

Hong Kong International School has exceptional AP results, In 2025, 80% of students earned scores of 4 or 5. The school follows a US-style curriculum and prepares students for US universities. [[File:Harrow International School Hong Kong 202201.png|thumb|281x281px|Harrow International School Hong Kong]] There are also many overseas British independent schools in Hong Kong such as Harrow International School Hong Kong where 90% of students received (A*-B), Wycombe Abbey School Hong Kong, Malvern College Hong Kong and Shrewsbury International School Hong Kong.

Moreover, there are many schools that cover various regions of the world such as; Australian International School, American International School, Canadian International School, French International School, Korean International School among others.

Local schools in Hong Kong are categorized into three "bands" based on academic performance, with Band 1 schools being the most prestigious and competitive. These institutions are often criticized for being high-pressure environments. Band 1 schools include Diocesan Boys' School, Diocesan Girls' School, Ying Wa College, St. Paul's College and La Salle College.

===Medium of instruction=== At primary and secondary school levels, the government maintains a policy of "mother tongue instruction"; most schools use Cantonese as the medium of instruction, with written education in both Chinese and English. Other languages being used as the medium of instruction in non-international school education include English and Putonghua (Mandarin Chinese). Secondary schools emphasise "bi-literacy and tri-lingualism", which has encouraged the proliferation of spoken Mandarin language education.<ref>{{harvnb|Lee|Leung|2012}}.</ref>

English is the official medium of instruction and assessment for most university programmes in Hong Kong, although Cantonese is predominant in informal discussions among local students and professors.<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 April 2010 |title=Teaching and Learning {{!}} HKU Teaching and Learning |url=https://tl.hku.hk/tl/ |access-date=17 May 2023 |website=HKU Teaching and Learning {{!}} Teaching and Learning in The University of Hong Kong}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Proof of English as Medium of Instruction {{!}} HKUST – Academic Registry |url=https://registry.hkust.edu.hk/resource-library/proof-english-medium-instruction |access-date=17 May 2023 |website=registry.hkust.edu.hk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=University Language Policy {{!}} HKBU AR |url=https://ar.hkbu.edu.hk/quality-assurance/university-policy-and-guidelines/lang-policy |access-date=17 May 2023 |website=ar.hkbu.edu.hk |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Languages of instruction |url=https://www.hkmu.edu.hk/admissions/taught-postgraduate/non-local/postgraduate-programmes-at-hkmu/languages-of-instruction/ |access-date=17 May 2023 |website=Hong Kong Metropolitan University |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Study@PolyU |url=https://www51.polyu.edu.hk/eprospectus/ug/international/programme-features |access-date=17 May 2023 |website=www51.polyu.edu.hk |archive-date=17 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230517015558/https://www51.polyu.edu.hk/eprospectus/ug/international/programme-features |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Res – Frequently Asked Questions on Applications for Transcript/Letter of Certification/Report on Curriculum Details |url=http://www.res.cuhk.edu.hk/en-gb/applications/graduates-of-full-time-undergraduate-programmes/transcript-certifying-letter-report-on-curriculum-details/faq-transcript-certifyingletter-curriculum-details |access-date=17 May 2023 |website=www.res.cuhk.edu.hk}}</ref>

===Tertiary education=== {{Main|Higher education in Hong Kong}}

[[File:Main Building HKU 20100926 03.JPG|thumb|University of Hong Kong main building|260x260px]]

Hong Kong has twelve universities. The University of Hong Kong (HKU) ranked QS Asia#1 was founded as the city's first institute of higher education in 1911 during the early colonial period.<ref>{{harvnb|Carroll|2007|pp=84–86}}.</ref> The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) was established in 1963 to fill the need for a university that taught using Chinese as its primary language of instruction.<ref>{{harvnb|Fulton Commission|1963}}.</ref> Along with the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) established in 1991, these universities are consistently ranked among the top 50 or top 100 universities worldwide.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=4 October 2022 |title=World University Rankings |url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2023/world-ranking |access-date=2 December 2022 |website=Times Higher Education (THE) |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=QS World University Rankings 2023: Top Global Universities |url=https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/world-university-rankings/2023 |access-date=2 December 2022 |website=Top Universities |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=2022–2023 Best Global Universities Rankings |url=https://www.usnews.com/education/best-global-universities/rankings}}</ref>

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU)<ref>{{harvnb|The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Ordinance}}</ref> and City University of Hong Kong (CityU), both granted university status in 1994, are consistently ranked among the top 100 or top 200 universities worldwide.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" /> The Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) was granted university status in 1994<ref>{{harvnb|Hong Kong Baptist University Ordinance}}</ref> and is a liberal arts institution. Hong Kong Metropolitan University (formerly as Open University of Hong Kong before 2021) (attaining status in 1997),<ref>{{harvnb|The Open University of Hong Kong Ordinance}}</ref> Lingnan University (in 1999),<ref>{{harvnb|Lingnan University Ordinance}}.</ref> Hong Kong Shue Yan University (in 2006),{{sfn|LegCo Grant to Shue Yan University|2007}} Education University of Hong Kong (in 2016), Hang Seng University of Hong Kong (in 2018) and Saint Francis University (in 2024)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Saint Francis University – Press Release – Caritas Institute of Higher Education granted the university title and renamed Saint Francis University 2024-01-9 |url=https://www.sfu.edu.hk/en/media/press-release/index_id_774.html |access-date=2024-07-26 |website=www.sfu.edu.hk}}</ref> all attained full university status in subsequent years. [[File:The University of Chicago Francis and Rose Yuen Campus.jpg|thumb|260x260px|University of Chicago Hong Kong ]] Overseas universities in Hong Kong often operate as branch campuses or partnerships offering accredited degrees, such as the University of Chicago Hong Kong, University of Sunderland, University of Wollongong in Hong Kong. These institutions, provide local and internationally recognized qualifications.

In 2026, QS Best Student Cities ranked Hong Kong as the 17th best city for university students. 7th in best Asia for best student cities. Noting, high scores in employer activity, desirability, and diverse student population.

'''Subject Rankings''' [[File:Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts Expansion 2019.jpg|thumb|259x259px|Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts]] In the 2026 QS World University Rankings by Subject, Hong Kong's higher education sector demonstrated significant global competitiveness, with five academic programs placing within the world's top 10. The University of Hong Kong (HKU) maintained its status as the city's most decorated institution, securing global 2nd and 5th positions for Dentistry and Education, respectively. Other top-tier performances included the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) ranking 6th globally for Nursing, the Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) placing 7th in Education, and the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA) breaking into the top 10 for Performing Arts. The highest-ranked performing arts institution in Asia.

==Healthcare== {{main|Health in Hong Kong}}

[[File:HK HongKongSanatoriumAndHospital Overview.JPG|thumb|247x247px|Hong Kong Sanatorium and Hospital (7th Tallest Hospital in the world)]] Hong Kong is one of the healthiest places in the world. Due to early health education, professional health services, and well-developed healthcare and medication system. [[File:Queen Mary Hospital 25-11-2023.jpg|thumb|Queen Mary Hospital ]] Public healthcare in Hong Kong is recognized for its high-quality medical outcomes. The territory has highest life expectancy in the world at 85.9 years. Hong Kong has one of the lowest infant mortality rates in the world, with recent estimates placing it around 1.7 to 2.5 deaths per 1,000 live births. However the public system also faces challenges, including high patient volumes, overcrowding in emergency departments, and long wait times for specialist appointments and elective procedures.

Healthcare in Hong Kong is provided through two categories consisting of public and private hospitals. While private hospitals services cater to patients seeking shorter wait times and personalized care, the majority of the population relies on the extensive public healthcare system. Public hospitals and clinics are heavily subsidized by the government, ensuring affordable access to a wide range of medical services.

Hong Kong's healthcare system is managed primarily by the Hospital Authority, which was established in 1990 to oversee and operate all public hospitals in the region. The system is organized into seven geographic clusters that group hospitals and associated healthcare facilities based on their distribution across the territory. As of 2026, Hong Kong has a total of 42 public hospitals and 11 private hospitals.

The University of Hong Kong (HKU) Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine is consistently ranked among the top medical schools globally and is a leader in Asia, ranking 18th worldwide in the Times Higher Education 2026 Rankings for Clinical and Health and 24th in the QS World University Rankings Medicine.

==Media== {{Main|Media of Hong Kong}}

thumb|250x250px|Hong Kong Newspapers [[File:TVBuddy, TVB City 20210521.jpg|alt=Modern, green-and-white building with dish antennas on top|thumb|TVB City, headquarters of Hong Kong's first over-the-air television station]] Most newspapers in Hong Kong are written in Chinese. There are also English-language newspapers, the major one being the ''South China Morning Post'', with ''The Standard'' serving as a business-oriented alternative. A variety of Chinese-language newspapers are published daily; the most prominent are ''Ming Pao'' and ''Oriental Daily News''. Local publications are often partisan, with pro-Beijing or pro-democracy sympathies. The central government has a print-media presence in the territory through the state-owned ''Ta Kung Pao'' and ''Wen Wei Po''.<ref>{{harvnb|"Hong Kong media profile", ''BBC News''}}</ref> Several international publications have regional operations in Hong Kong, including ''The Wall Street Journal'', the ''Financial Times'', ''USA Today'', TimeOut, ''The Nikkei and Vogue Hong Kong.''<ref>{{harvnb|Media Facts|2017}}.</ref>

Four free-to-air television broadcasters operate in the territory; TVB, HKTVE, HOY and Phoenix Television air eight digital channels.<ref name="broadcasterList">{{harvnb|Licensed Broadcasting Services|2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Frequency Table for Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting Services in Hong Kong |url=https://www.ofca.gov.hk/filemanager/ofca/en/content_1087/tv_frequency_digital_en.pdf |access-date=26 July 2024}}</ref> TVB, Hong Kong's dominant television network, has an 80% viewer share.<ref>{{harvnb|Chow|2017}}.</ref> Paid television services operated by PCCW offer hundreds of additional channels and cater to a variety of audiences.<ref>{{cite web|title=A List of Licensed Broadcasting Services in Hong Kong (As at 18 June 2024)|url=https://www.ofca.gov.hk/filemanager/ofca/en/content_108/channel_list_eng.pdf|website=Office of the Communications Authority|location=Hong Kong}}</ref> RTHK is the public broadcaster, providing seven radio channels and six free-to-air television channels.<ref>{{harvnb|RTHK Budget|2018|pp=806, 809}}.</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Radio Television Hong Kong Annual Report 2021–2022 |url=https://www.rthk.hk/about/pdf/rthk_annual_report_202122_eng.pdf |access-date=26 July 2024 |website=rthk.hk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rthk.hk/timetable/|title=香港電台網站|website=www.rthk.hk}}</ref> Ten non-domestic broadcasters air programming for the territory's foreign population.<ref name="broadcasterList" /> Access to media and information over the Internet is not subject to mainland Chinese regulations, including the Great Firewall, but local internet censorship applies.<ref>{{harvnb|"Hong Kong Activists Stare Down 'Great Firewall of China'", ''NBC News''}}</ref>

==See also== {{Portal|Hong Kong|China}} * Index of articles related to Hong Kong * {{annotated link|Macau}} * Outline of Hong Kong

==Notes== {{Notelist}}

==References== {{Reflist}}

==Sources==

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of Amateur Sports in Hong Kong, 1947–1997 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Y45FBAAAQBAJ |publisher=Hong Kong University Press |isbn=978-962-209-765-0 }} * {{cite book |last=Lam |first=Wai-man |title=Understanding the Political Culture of Hong Kong: The Paradox of Activism and Depoliticization: The Paradox of Activism and Depoliticization |year=2015 |publisher=Routledge |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YhXICQAAQBAJ |isbn=978-1-317-45301-7 }} * {{cite book |last=Lee |first=S.H. |title=SARS in China and Hong Kong |publisher=Nova Science Publishers |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7YgpNtIL1VwC |year=2006 |isbn=978-1-59454-678-5 }} * {{cite book |last=Leung |first=Julian Y.M. |chapter=Education in Hong Kong and China: Towards Convergence? |editor1-last=Chan |editor1-first=Ming K. |editor2-last=Postiglione |editor2-first=Gerard A. |title=The Hong Kong Reader: Passage to Chinese Sovereignty: Passage to Chinese Sovereignty |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-315-48835-6 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SckYDQAAQBAJ |date=2016 }} * {{cite book |last=Li |first=Guo |date=2012 |chapter=A Site Catchment Analysis of Hong Kong's Neolithic Subsistence |editor1-last=Cheng |editor1-first=Pei-kai |editor2-last=Fan |editor2-first=Ka Wai |title=New Perspectives on the Research of Chinese Culture |pages=17–43 |publisher=Springer |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hQ6lGvyMZMMC |isbn=978-981-4021-77-7 |doi=10.1007/978-981-4021-78-4_2 }} * {{cite book |last=Littlewood |first=Michael |title=Taxation Without Representation: The History of Hong Kong's Troublingly Successful Tax System |year=2010 |publisher=Hong Kong University Press |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_7eiOi2lbOkC |isbn=978-962-209-099-6 }} * {{cite book |last=Long |first=Lucy M. |title=Ethnic American Food Today: A Cultural Encyclopedia |year=2015 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DBzYCQAAQBAJ |isbn=978-1-4422-2730-9 }} * {{cite book |last1=Morton |first1=Brian |last2=Harper |first2=Elizabeth |title=An Introduction to the Cape d'Aguilar Marine Reserve, Hong Kong |publisher=Hong Kong University Press |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LNCYHVVcM8IC |isbn=978-962-209-388-1 |year=1995 }} * {{cite book |last1=Owen |first1=Bernie |last2=Shaw |first2=Raynor |date=2007 |title=Hong Kong Landscapes: Shaping the Barren Rock |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4sO5vlJ7ETcC |publisher=Hong Kong University Press |isbn=978-962-209-847-3 }} * {{cite book |last=Porter |first=Jonathan |title=Macau, the Imaginary City: Culture and Society, 1557 to the Present |publisher=Westview Press |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gsC6AAAAIAAJ |year=1996 |isbn=978-0-8133-2836-2 }} * {{cite book |last1=Preston |first1=Peter Wallace |last2=Haacke |first2=Jürgen |title=Contemporary China: The Dynamics of Change at the Start of the New Millennium |year=2003 |publisher=RoutledgeCurzon |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Q79VGofCqIgC |isbn=978-0-7007-1637-1 }} * {{cite book |last1=Ren |first1=Hai |title=Neoliberalism and Culture in China and Hong Kong: The Countdown of Time |date=4 October 2010 |publisher=Routledge |location=Oxford |isbn=978-1-136-92364-7 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NAvGBQAAQBAJ |language=en }} * {{cite book |last=Schottenhammer |first=Angela |title=The East Asian Maritime World 1400–1800: Its Fabrics of Power and Dynamics of Exchanges |isbn=978-3-447-05474-4 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ga-5mPOr2-wC |year=2007 |publisher=Harrassowitz Verlag }} * {{cite book |last=Room |first=Adrian |title=Placenames of the World |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=M1JIPAN-eJ4C |year=2005 |publisher=McFarland & Company |isbn=978-0-7864-2248-7 }} * {{cite book |last=Scott |first=Ian |title=Political Change and the Crisis of Legitimacy in Hong Kong |year=1989 |publisher=University of Hawaiʻi Press |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=w7NuSICc0lYC |isbn=978-0-8248-1269-0 }} * {{cite book |last1=Shen |first1=Jianfa |last2=Kee |first2=Gordon |date=2017 |title=Development and Planning in Seven Major Coastal Cities in Southern and Eastern China |publisher=Springer |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2UhxDQAAQBAJ |isbn=978-3-319-46420-6 |doi=10.1007/978-3-319-46421-3 }} * {{cite book |last1=Smith |first1=Gareth Dylan |last2=Moir |first2=Zack |last3=Brennan |first3=Matt |last4=Rambarran |first4=Shara |last5=Kirkman |first5=Phil |date=2017 |title=The Routledge Research Companion to Popular Music Education |publisher=Routledge |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JColDwAAQBAJ |isbn=978-1-4724-6498-9 }} * {{cite book |last=Snow |first=Philip |title=The Fall of Hong Kong: Britain, China and the Japanese Occupation |year=2003 |publisher=Yale University Press |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Um5eZLwurzoC |isbn=978-0-300-10373-1 }} * {{cite book |last1=Tam |first1=Maria Wai-chu |last2=Chan |first2=Eugene Kin-keung |last3=Choi Kwan |first3=Janice Wing-kum |last4=Leung |first4=Gloria Chi-kin |last5=Lo |first5=Alexandra Dak-wai |last6=Tang |first6=Simon Shu-pui |publisher=Working Group on Overseas Community of the Basic Law Promotion Steering Committee |chapter=Basic Law – the Source of Hong Kong's Progress and Development |title=The Basic Law and Hong Kong – The 15th Anniversary of Reunification with the Motherland |chapter-url=http://www.basiclaw.gov.hk/en/publications/book/15anniversary_reunification_ch2_2.pdf |date=2012 |oclc=884571397 |access-date=3 January 2018 |archive-date=12 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612205720/http://www.basiclaw.gov.hk/en/publications/book/15anniversary_reunification_ch2_2.pdf |url-status=dead }} * {{cite book |last=Tsang |first=Steve |author-link=Steve Tsang |date=2007 |title=A Modern History of Hong Kong |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7JC856mG72EC |publisher=I.B. Tauris |isbn=978-1-84511-419-0 }} * {{cite book |last=von Glahn |first=Richard |title=Fountain of Fortune: Money and Monetary Policy in China, 1000–1700 |year=1996 |publisher=University of California Press |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DNlv4f9tV_AC |isbn=978-0-520-91745-3 }} * Wasserstrom, Jeffrey. ''Vigil: Hong Kong on the Brink'' (2020) [https://www.wsj.com/articles/vigil-hong-kong-on-the-brink-review-the-origins-of-deance-11581974256 Online review] * {{cite book |last=Wills |first=John E. |chapter=Relations with Maritime Europe, 1514–1662 |editor1-last=Twitchett |editor1-first=Denis |editor2-last=Mote |editor2-first=Frederick W. |title=The Cambridge History of China: Volume 8, The Ming Dynasty, 1368–1644 |volume=2 |pages=333–375 |year=1998 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tVhvh6ibLJcC |isbn=978-0-521-24333-9 |doi=10.1017/CHOL9780521243339.009 }} * {{cite book |last=Wiltshire |first=Trea |title=Old Hong Kong Volume II: 1901–1945 |publisher=FormAsia Books |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0fhjrgEACAAJ |edition=5th |year=1997 |isbn=978-962-7283-13-3 }} * {{cite book |last=Wong |first=Siu Lun |title=Emigration and stability in Hong Kong |date=1992 |publisher=University of Hong Kong |url=https://hub.hku.hk/bitstream/10722/42565/1/07.pdf |isbn=978-962-7558-09-5 }} * {{cite book |last=Wordie |first=Jason |title=Streets: Exploring Kowloon |publisher=Hong Kong University Press |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AyfPeYnp3-oC |year=2007 |isbn=978-962-209-813-8 }} * {{cite book |title=UNWTO Tourism Highlights: 2017 Edition |date=2017 |publisher=World Tourism Organization |doi=10.18111/9789284419029 |isbn=978-92-844-1901-2 |url=https://tede.ufrrj.br/jspui/handle/jspui/5202 |ref={{harvid|WTO|2017}} |last1=Magalhães |first1=Bianca dos Santos }} * {{cite book |last1=Xi |first1=Xu |last2=Ingham |first2=Mike |title=City Voices: Hong Kong writing in English, 1945–present |publisher=Hong Kong University Press |year=2003 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2f3IAQAAQBAJ |isbn=978-962-209-605-9 }} * {{cite book |last=Xue |first=Charlie Q.L. |title=Hong Kong Architecture 1945–2015: From Colonial to Global |publisher=Springer |isbn=978-981-10-1003-3 |doi=10.1007/978-981-10-1004-0 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5xZkDAAAQBAJ |date=2016 }} * {{cite book |last1=Yanne |first1=Andrew |last2=Heller |first2=Gillis |date=2009 |title=Signs of a Colonial Era |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DpOQrEVBcX4C |publisher=Hong Kong University Press |isbn=978-962-209-944-9 }} * {{cite book |last=Yeung |first=Rikkie |title=Moving Millions: The Commercial Success and Political Controversies of Hong Kong's Railways |publisher=Hong Kong University Press |year=2008 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VUfqAQAAQBAJ |isbn=978-962-209-963-0 }} * {{cite book |last1=Young |first1=Simon N.M. |last2=Cullen |first2=Richard |title=Electing Hong Kong's Chief Executive |publisher=Hong Kong University Press |year=2010 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Px1WflAKjwEC |isbn=978-988-8028-39-9 }} * {{cite book |last=Zhihong |first=Shi |chapter=China's Overseas Trade Policy and Its Historical Results: 1522–1840 |pages=4–23 |editor1-last=Latham |editor1-first=A.J.H. |editor2-last=Kawakatsu |editor2-first=Heita |editor-link=Heita Kawakatsu |title=Intra-Asian Trade and the World Market |year=2006 |publisher=Routledge |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mLBgaa8d4aMC |isbn=978-0-415-37207-7 }} {{refend}}

====Legislation and case law==== {{refbegin|30em}} * {{wikicite |reference=Amendment to the Basic Law Annex I ([http://www.hklii.hk/eng/hk/legis/instrument/A111/amendment.html Instrument A111]) |ref={{sfnref|Amendment to the Basic Law Annex I}}}} * {{wikicite |reference=Basic Law [http://www.basiclaw.gov.hk/en/basiclawtext/chapter_2.html Chapter II] |ref={{sfnref|Basic Law Chapter II}}}} * {{wikicite |reference=Basic Law [http://www.basiclaw.gov.hk/en/basiclawtext/chapter_3.html Chapter III] |ref={{sfnref|Basic Law Chapter III}}}} * {{wikicite |reference=Basic Law [http://www.basiclaw.gov.hk/en/basiclawtext/chapter_4.html Chapter IV] |ref={{sfnref|Basic Law Chapter IV}}}} * {{wikicite |reference=Basic Law [http://www.basiclaw.gov.hk/en/basiclawtext/chapter_5.html Chapter V] |ref={{sfnref|Basic Law Chapter V}}}} * {{wikicite |reference=Basic Law [http://www.basiclaw.gov.hk/en/basiclawtext/chapter_7.html Chapter VII] |ref={{sfnref|Basic Law Chapter VII}}}} * {{wikicite |reference={{Cite Hong Kong case |litigants=Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Another v the President of the Legislative Council |list=HCAL |number=185 |year=2016 |id=106799 |pinpoint=20}} |ref={{sfnref|''Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Another v the President of the Legislative Council''}}}} * {{wikicite |reference=Constitution of the People's Republic of China ([http://www.hklii.hk/eng/hk/legis/instrument/A1/constitution.html Instrument A1]) |ref={{sfnref|Constitution of the People's Republic of China}}}} * {{wikicite |reference={{cite Hong Kong ordinance|name=District Councils Ordinance|547}} Schedule 3 |ref={{sfnref|District Councils Ordinance}}}} * {{wikicite |reference={{cite Hong Kong ordinance|name=Emergency Regulations Ordinance|241}} |ref={{sfnref|Emergency Regulations Ordinance}}}} * {{wikicite |reference={{cite Hong Kong ordinance |name=Hong Kong Baptist University Ordinance |1126}} |ref={{sfnref|Hong Kong Baptist University Ordinance}}}} * {{wikicite |reference={{cite Hong Kong ordinance|name=Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Passports Ordinance|539}} |ref={{sfnref|Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Passports Ordinance}}}} * {{wikicite |reference={{cite Hong Kong ordinance |name=Lingnan University Ordinance |1165}} |ref={{sfnref|Lingnan University Ordinance}}}} * {{wikicite |reference={{Cite Hong Kong case |litigants=Ng Ka Ling and Another v the Director of Immigration |list=FACV |number=14 |year=1998 |id=34052 |pinpoint=63}} |ref={{sfnref|''Ng Ka Ling and Another v the Director of Immigration''}}}} * {{wikicite |reference={{cite Hong Kong ordinance |name=Official Languages Ordinance |5|3|1}} |ref={{sfnref|Official Languages Ordinance}}}} * {{wikicite |reference=Sino-British Joint Declaration ([http://www.hklii.hk/eng/hk/legis/instrument/A301/declaration.html Instrument A301]) |ref={{sfnref|Sino-British Joint Declaration}}}} * {{wikicite |reference=Standing Committee Interpretation Concerning Implementation of Chinese Nationality Law in Hong Kong ([http://www.hklii.hk/eng/hk/legis/instrument/A204/interpretation.html Instrument A204]) |ref={{sfnref|Standing Committee Interpretation Concerning Implementation of Chinese Nationality Law in Hong Kong}}}} * {{wikicite |reference={{cite Hong Kong ordinance |name=The Education University of Hong Kong Ordinance |444}} |ref={{sfnref|The Education University of Hong Kong Ordinance}}}} * {{wikicite |reference={{cite Hong Kong ordinance |name=The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Ordinance |1075}} |ref={{sfnref|The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Ordinance}}}} * {{wikicite |reference={{cite Hong Kong ordinance |name=The Open University of Hong Kong Ordinance |1145}} |ref={{sfnref|The Open University of Hong Kong Ordinance}}}} {{refend}}

====Academic publications==== {{refbegin|30em|indent=yes}} * {{cite journal |last=Chen |first=Li |year=2011 |title=Universalism and Equal Sovereignty as Contested Myths of International Law in the Sino-Western Encounter |journal=Journal of the History of International Law |volume=13 |issue=1 |pages=75–116 |doi=10.1163/157180511X552054 |ssrn=1672526}} * {{cite journal |last=Cheng |first=Edmund W. |title=Street Politics in a Hybrid Regime: The Diffusion of Political Activism in Post-colonial Hong Kong |journal=The China Quarterly |date=June 2016 |volume=226 |pages=383–406 |doi=10.1017/S0305741016000394 |doi-access=free}} * {{cite journal |last1=Cheng |first1=Sheung-Tak |last2=Lum |first2=Terry |last3=Lam |first3=Linda C. W. |last4=Fung |first4=Helene H. |year=2013 |title=Hong Kong: Embracing a Fast Aging Society With Limited Welfare |journal=The Gerontologist |volume=53 |issue=4 |pages=527–533 |doi=10.1093/geront/gnt017 |pmid=23528290 |doi-access=}} * {{cite journal |last=Cullinane |first=S. |title=The relationship between car ownership and public transport provision: a case study of Hong Kong |year=2002 |volume=9 |issue=1 |pages=29–39 |journal=Transport Policy |doi=10.1016/S0967-070X(01)00028-2}} * {{cite journal |last=Fan |first=Shuh Ching |title=The Population of Hong Kong |year=1974 |journal=World Population Year |pages=1–2 |url=http://www.cicred.org/Eng/Publications/pdf/c-c21.pdf |oclc=438716102 |archive-date=18 July 2011 |access-date=17 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718182324/http://www.cicred.org/Eng/Publications/pdf/c-c21.pdf |url-status=dead}} * {{cite journal |last1=Forrest |first1=Ray |last2=La Grange |first2=Adrienne |last3=Yip |first3=Ngai-ming |title=Hong Kong as a Global City? Social Distance and Spatial Differentiation |journal=Urban Studies |volume=41 |issue=1 |pages=207–227 |year=2004 |doi=10.1080/0042098032000155759 |bibcode=2004UrbSt..41..207F |citeseerx=10.1.1.1032.5974 |s2cid=154042413}} * {{cite journal |last=Fu |first=Poshek |title=Japanese Occupation, Shanghai Exiles, and Postwar Hong Kong Cinema |journal=The China Quarterly |year=2008 |volume=194 |issue=194 |pages=380–394 |doi=10.1017/S030574100800043X |jstor=20192203 |s2cid=154730809}} * {{cite journal |author=Fulton Commission |title=Report of the Fulton Commission, 1963: Commission to Advise on the Creation of a Federal-Type Chinese University in Hong Kong |journal=Minerva |year=1963 |volume=1 |issue=4 |pages=493–507 |jstor=41821589 |doi=10.1007/bf01107190 |s2cid=189763965}} * {{cite journal |last=Jordan |first=Ann D. |title=Lost in the Translation: Two Legal Cultures, the Common Law Judiciary and the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region |journal=Cornell International Law Journal |url=https://scholarship.law.cornell.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1401&context=cilj |volume=30 |issue=2 |year=1997 |pages=335–380}} * {{cite book |last=Lee |first=John |title=2012 International Conference on Asian Language Processing |chapter=A Corpus-Based Analysis of Mixed Code in Hong Kong Speech |date=2012 |pages=165–168 |doi=10.1109/IALP.2012.10 |isbn=978-1-4673-6113-2 |s2cid=16210378}} * {{cite journal |last1=Lee |first1=Kwai Sang |last2=Leung |first2=Wai Mun |title=The status of Cantonese in the education policy of Hong Kong |journal=Multilingual Education |volume=2 |issue=2 |page=2 |year=2012 |doi=10.1186/2191-5059-2-2 |doi-access=free |hdl=10397/98877 |hdl-access=free}} * {{cite journal |last=Lee |first=Nelson K. |title=The Changing Nature of Border, Scale and the Production of Hong Kong's Water Supply System since 1959 |journal=International Journal of Urban and Regional Research |volume=38 |issue=3 |pages=903–921 |year=2013 |doi=10.1111/1468-2427.12060 |doi-access=free}} * {{cite journal |last1=McKercher |first1=Bob |last2=Ho |first2=Pamela S.Y. |last3=du Cros |first3=Hilary |title=Attributes of Popular Attractions in Hong Kong |journal=Annals of Tourism Research |volume=31 |issue=2 |year=2004 |pages=393–407 |doi=10.1016/j.annals.2003.12.008 |hdl=10397/29409}} * {{cite journal |last=Meacham |first=William |title=Neolithic to Historic in the Hong Kong Region |journal=Indo-Pacific Prehistory Association Bulletin |volume=18 |issue=2 |year=1999 |pages=121–128 |doi=10.7152/bippa.v18i0.11707 |doi-broken-date=1 July 2025 |eissn=0156-1316 |url=http://journals.lib.washington.edu/index.php/BIPPA/article/viewFile/11707/10336 |hdl=10722/208530 |hdl-access=free |url-access=subscription}} * {{cite journal |last=Ming |first=Sing |title=The Legitimacy Problem and Democratic Reform in Hong Kong |journal=Journal of Contemporary China |volume=15 |issue=48 |year=2006 |pages=517–532 |doi=10.1080/10670560600736558 |s2cid=154949190}} * {{cite journal |last1=Poon |first1=Simpson |last2=Chau |first2=Patrick |title=Octopus: The Growing E-payment System in Hong Kong |journal=Electronic Markets |volume=11 |issue=2 |year=2001 |pages=97–106 |url=https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/f800/672c1448f0233ae7982444a85cf6d806b774.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180627034146/https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/f800/672c1448f0233ae7982444a85cf6d806b774.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 June 2018 |doi=10.1080/101967801300197016 |s2cid=18766585}} * {{cite journal |last1=Sofield |first1=Trevor H.B. |last2=Sivan |first2=Atara |title=From Cultural Festival to International Sport – The Hong Kong Dragon Boat Races |journal=Journal of Sport & Tourism |volume=8 |issue=1 |pages=9–20 |year=2003 |doi=10.1080/14775080306242 |s2cid=144106613}} * {{cite journal |last1=Tong |first1=C. O. |last2=Wong |first2=S. C. |year=1997 |title=The advantages of a high density, mixed land use, linear urban development |journal=Transportation |volume=24 |issue=3 |pages=295–307 |doi=10.1023/A:1004987422746 |s2cid=152365622}} * {{cite journal |last1=Wong |first1=Eliza L.Y. |last2=Yeoh |first2=Eng-kiong |last3=Chau |first3=Patsy Y.K. |last4=Yam |first4=Carrie H.K. |last5=Cheung |first5=Annie W.L. |last6=Fung |first6=Hong |title=How shall we examine and learn about public-private partnerships (PPPs) in the health sector? Realist evaluation of PPPs in Hong Kong |journal=Social Science & Medicine |volume=147 |year=2015 |pages=261–269 |doi=10.1016/j.socscimed.2015.11.012 |doi-access=free |pmid=26605970}} {{refend}}

===Institutional reports=== {{refbegin|30em|indent=yes}} * {{cite report |title=A List of Licensed Broadcasting Services in Hong Kong |publisher=Office of the Communications Authority |date=1 June 2018 |url=https://www.ofca.gov.hk/filemanager/ofca/en/content_108/channel_list_eng.pdf |ref={{harvid|Licensed Broadcasting Services|2018}}}} * {{cite report |title=Adaptation of Laws Programme – Guiding Principles and Guideline Glossary of Terms |publisher=Legislative Council |date=November 1998 |url=http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr98-99/english/bc/bc55/papers/p739e1.pdf |ref={{harvid|Adaptation of Laws Guidelines|1998}}}} * {{cite report |title=Agriculture and Fisheries |work=Hong Kong: The Facts |publisher=Hong Kong Government |date=May 2017 |url=https://www.gov.hk/en/about/abouthk/factsheets/docs/agriculture.pdf |ref={{harvid|Agriculture and Fisheries Facts|2017}}}} * {{cite report |title=Airport Traffic Report |publisher=Port Authority of New York and New Jersey |date=14 April 2017 |url=http://www.panynj.gov/airports/pdf-traffic/ATR2016.pdf |ref={{harvid|NY/NJ Port Authority Airport Traffic|2017}} |access-date=20 November 2017 |archive-date=25 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525172312/http://www.panynj.gov/airports/pdf-traffic/ATR2016.pdf |url-status=dead}} * {{cite report |title=Akamai's State of the Internet – Q1 2017 Report |publisher=Akamai Technologies |year=2017 |url=https://www.akamai.com/us/en/multimedia/documents/state-of-the-internet/q1-2017-state-of-the-internet-connectivity-report.pdf |ref={{harvid|Akamai's State of the Internet|2017}}}} * {{cite report |title=Annual Report 2016/17 |publisher=Airport Authority Hong Kong |date=12 June 2017 |url=http://www.hongkongairport.com/iwov-resources/file/airport-authority/publications/annual-and-interim-reports/en/16_17/1617_Annual_Report_EN.pdf |ref={{harvid|HKIA Annual Report|2017}}}} * {{cite report |title=Annual Report 2016–17 |publisher=Inland Revenue Department |year=2017 |url=https://www.ird.gov.hk/dar/2016-17/table/en/ar_1617.pdf |ref={{harvid|Inland Revenue Annual Report|2017}}}} * {{cite report |title=Annual Report 2017 |publisher=Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels |year=2017 |url=https://www.hshgroup.com/-/media/Files/HSH/Financial-Reports/2017/EW00045-2017-Annual-Report.ashx |format=PDF |ref={{harvid|HSH Annual Report|2017}}}} * {{cite report |title=Annual Report and Accounts 2011 |publisher=The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation |year=2011 |url=https://www.hsbc.com.hk/content/dam/hsbc/hk/docs/legal/regulatory-disclosures/report-and-accounts-11.pdf |ref={{harvid|HSBC Annual Report|2011}}}} * {{cite report |title=APAC Regional Headquarters |publisher=Cushman & Wakefield |date=April 2016 |url=http://www.cushmanwakefield.com/~/media/reports/china/Cushman%20%20Wakefield%20RHQ%20Report_2016_F4.pdf |ref={{harvid|Cushman & Wakefield RHQ Report|2016}} |access-date=7 June 2018 |archive-date=12 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612143118/http://www.cushmanwakefield.com/~/media/reports/china/Cushman%20%20Wakefield%20RHQ%20Report_2016_F4.pdf |url-status=dead}} * {{cite report |title=Béthanie – The Academy's Landmark Heritage Campus |publisher=Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts |date=September 2015 |url=https://www.hkapa.edu/files/guide/media-publications/Bethanie-Booklet.pdf |ref={{harvid|Béthanie|2015}} |access-date=25 June 2018 |archive-date=1 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801204158/https://www.hkapa.edu/files/guide/media-publications/Bethanie-Booklet.pdf |url-status=dead}} * {{cite report |title=Developing a Supplementary Guide to the Chinese Language Curriculum for Non-Chinese Speaking Students |publisher=Legislative Council |date=January 2008 |url=http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr07-08/english/panels/ed/papers/ed0229cb2-1238-1-e.pdf |ref={{harvid|Developing a Supplementary Guide to the Chinese Language Curriculum for Non-Chinese Speaking Students|2008}}}} * {{cite report |title=District Administration |work=Hong Kong: The Facts |publisher=Hong Kong Government |date=April 2016 |url=http://www.gov.hk/en/about/abouthk/factsheets/docs/district_admin.pdf |ref={{harvid|District Administration Facts|2016}} |access-date=18 November 2008 |archive-date=7 September 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080907000229/http://www.gov.hk/en/about/abouthk/factsheets/docs/district_admin.pdf |url-status=dead}} * {{cite report |title=Economic development: Statistical Highlights |publisher=Legislative Council |date=26 April 2017 |url=https://www.legco.gov.hk/research-publications/english/1617issh25-port-of-hong-kong-20170426-e.pdf |ref={{harvid|Economic Statistical Highlights|2017}}}} * {{cite report |title=Family Survey 2013 |publisher=Legislative Council |date=July 2014 |url=https://www.legco.gov.hk/yr13-14/english/panels/ws/papers/ws0609cb2-2288-2-e.pdf |ref={{harvid|Family Survey|2013}}}} * {{cite report |title=The UK's relations with Hong Kong: 30 years after the Joint Declaration |publisher=Parliament of the United Kingdom |date=6 March 2015 |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201415/cmselect/cmfaff/649/649.pdf |ref={{harvid|House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee Tenth Report|2015}}}} * {{cite report |author=Foreign and Commonwealth Office |author-link=Foreign and Commonwealth Office |title=Written evidence from Foreign and Commonwealth Office |publisher=Parliament of the United Kingdom |date=October 2014 |url=http://data.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/committeeevidence.svc/evidencedocument/foreign-affairs-committee/the-uks-relations-with-hong-kong-30-years-after-the-joint-declaration/written/14357.pdf |ref={{harvid|FCO Written Evidence|2014}}}} * {{cite report |title=Geography and Climate |publisher=Census and Statistics Department |year=2010 |url=https://www.censtatd.gov.hk/FileManager/EN/Content_810/geog.pdf |ref={{harvid|Geography and Climate|2010}}}} * {{cite report |title=Guidelines on the Legislative Council Election |publisher=Electoral Affairs Commission |year=2016 |url=https://www.eac.gov.hk/pdf/legco/2016lc_guide/en/lc_full_guide.pdf |ref={{harvid|Guidelines on the Legislative Council Election|2016}} |access-date=22 June 2018 |archive-date=22 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181122213234/https://www.eac.gov.hk/pdf/legco/2016lc_guide/en/lc_full_guide.pdf |url-status=dead}} * {{cite report |title=Health Facts of Hong Kong: 2017 Edition |publisher=Department of Health |year=2017 |url=http://www.dh.gov.hk/english/statistics/statistics_hs/files/Health_Statistics_pamphlet_E.pdf |ref={{harvid|Health Facts|2017}}}} * {{cite report |title=Hong Kong as a Service Economy |work=Hong Kong: The Facts |publisher=Hong Kong Government |date=April 2016 |url=https://www.gov.hk/en/about/abouthk/factsheets/docs/service_economy.pdf |ref={{harvid|Economy Facts|2016}}}} * {{cite report |title=Hong Kong Energy Statistics – 2016 Annual Report |publisher=Census and Statistics Department |date=April 2017 |url=http://www.statistics.gov.hk/pub/B11000022016AN16B0100.pdf |ref={{harvid|Energy Statistics Report|2017}}}} * {{cite report |title=The Hong Kong Government Gazette |via=University of Hong Kong |date=3 September 1926 |url=http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkgro/view/g1926/100085.pdf |ref={{harvid|Hong Kong Government Gazette|1926}}}} * {{cite report |title=Human Development Indices and Indicators – Statistical Update 2018 |publisher=United Nations Development Programme |year=2018 |url=http://hdr.undp.org/sites/default/files/2018_human_development_statistical_update.pdf |ref={{harvid|UN Human Development Indices and Indicators|2018}}}} * {{cite report |last1=Jiang |first1=Guorong |last2=Tang |first2=Nancy |last3=Law |first3=Eve |last4=Sze |first4=Angela |title=The Profitability of the Banking Sector in Hong Kong |publisher=Hong Kong Monetary Authority |date=September 2003 |url=http://www.hkma.gov.hk/media/eng/publication-and-research/quarterly-bulletin/qb200309/fa1.pdf}} * {{cite report |title=June 2019 |work=Hong Kong Monthly Digest of Statistics |publisher=Census and Statistics Department |date=June 2019 |url=https://www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/data/stat_report/product/B1010002/att/B10100022019MM06B0100.pdf |ref={{harvid|Monthly Statistics for June|2019}}}} * {{cite report |title=List of Political Affiliations of LegCo Members and DC Members |publisher=District Councils |date=19 June 2017 |url=http://www.districtcouncils.gov.hk/south/sc_chi/activities/files/Political_Affiliation_20170620_TC.pdf |ref={{harvid|LegCo and DC Member Political Affiliations|2017}}}} * {{cite report |title=Literacy Rates Continue to Rise from One Generation to the Next |publisher=UNESCO |date=September 2017 |url=https://uis.unesco.org/sites/default/files/documents/fs45-literacy-rates-continue-rise-generation-to-next-en-2017.pdf |ref={{harvid|UNESCO Literacy Rates|2017}} |access-date=30 December 2019 |archive-date=29 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200329020745/http://uis.unesco.org/sites/default/files/documents/fs45-literacy-rates-continue-rise-generation-to-next-en-2017.pdf |url-status=dead}} * {{cite report |last1=Lung |first1=Charles C P |last2=Sung |first2=Y F |title=A Century of Railway Development – The Hong Kong Story |publisher=Institution of Railway Signal Engineers |year=2010 |url=http://www.irse.org/knowledge/publicdocuments/1.07%20Lung%20-%20Century%20of%20Railway%20Development%20Hong%20Kong.pdf |access-date=26 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411223254/http://www.irse.org/knowledge/publicdocuments/1.07%20Lung%20-%20Century%20of%20Railway%20Development%20Hong%20Kong.pdf |archive-date=11 April 2019 |url-status=dead}} * {{cite report |title=Main Results |work=2021 Population By-Census |publisher=Census and Statistics Department |year=2021 |url=https://www.census2021.gov.hk/doc/pub/21c-main-results.pdf |ref={{harvid|Population By-Census|2021}}}} * {{cite report |title=Market Statistics 2018 |publisher=Hong Kong Stock Exchange |year=2018 |url=https://www.hkex.com.hk/-/media/HKEX-Market/News/News-Release/2018/181221news/181221news.pdf?la=en |ref={{harvid|HKSE Market Statistics|2018}}}} * {{cite report |author=Panel on Education |title=Grant to the Hong Kong Shue Yan University for Establishing a General Development Fund |publisher=Legislative Council |date=8 January 2007 |url=http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr06-07/english/panels/ed/papers/ed0108cb2-757-4-e.pdf |ref={{harvid|LegCo Grant to Shue Yan University|2007}}}} * {{cite report |author=Panel on Home Affairs |chapter=List of Historical Buildings Declared as Monuments from 1997 to 2006 |title=The Queen's Pier |publisher=Legislative Council |date=June 2007 |chapter-url=http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr06-07/english/panels/ha/papers/ha0601cb2-2102-1-e.pdf |ref={{harvid|Declared Monuments|2007}}}} * {{cite report |title=Public Finance |work=Hong Kong: The Facts |publisher=Hong Kong Government |date=May 2018 |url=https://www.gov.hk/en/about/abouthk/factsheets/docs/public_finance.pdf |ref={{harvid|Public Finance Facts|2018}}}} * {{cite report |title=Public Transport Strategy Study |publisher=Transport Department |date=June 2017 |url=http://www.td.gov.hk/filemanager/en/publication/ptss_final_report_eng.pdf |ref={{harvid|Public Transport Strategy Study|2017}}}} * {{cite report |title=Radio Television Hong Kong |work=The 2018–2019 Budget |publisher=Hong Kong Government |year=2018 |url=https://www.budget.gov.hk/2018/eng/pdf/head160.pdf |ref={{harvid|RTHK Budget|2018}}}} * {{cite report |title=Railway Network |work=Hong Kong: The Facts |publisher=Hong Kong Government |date=April 2018 |url=https://www.gov.hk/en/about/abouthk/factsheets/docs/railway.pdf |ref={{harvid|Railway Network Facts|2018}}}} * {{cite report |title=Registration and Licensing of Vehicles by Class of Vehicles |publisher=Transport Department |date=January 2018 |url=http://www.td.gov.hk/filemanager/en/content_281/table41a.pdf |ref={{harvid|Vehicle Registration and Licensing|2018}}}} * {{cite report |title=Religion and Custom |work=Hong Kong: The Facts |publisher=Hong Kong Government |date=May 2016 |url=https://www.gov.hk/en/about/abouthk/factsheets/docs/religion.pdf |ref={{harvid|Religion and Custom Facts|2016}}}} * {{cite report |author=Subcommittee on Matters Relating to Railways |title=Follow-ups on the Service Suspension of Tseung Kwan O Line and Part of Kwun Tong Line on 16 December 2013, and Report on Subsequent Major Incidents on East Rail Line and Light Rail |publisher=Legislative Council |year=2014 |url=http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr13-14/english/panels/tp/tp_rdp/papers/tp_rdp0228cb1-980-5-e.pdf |ref={{harvid|Report on Rail Service|2014}}}} * {{cite report |title=Reclamation Outside Victoria Harbour |publisher=Development Bureau |year=2017 |url=https://www.devb.gov.hk/filemanager/en/content_1054/Paper_07_2017.pdf |ref={{harvid|Land Policy Report|2017}}}} * {{cite report |title=Report of the Task Force on Population Policy |publisher=Hong Kong Government |year=2002 |url=http://www.info.gov.hk/info/population/eng/pdf/report_eng.pdf |ref={{harvid|Population Policy Report|2002}}}} * {{cite report |title=The Global Financial Centres Index 22 |date=September 2017 |publisher=China Development Institute |url=http://www.longfinance.net/images/gfci/gfci_22.pdf |ref={{harvid|Global Financial Centres Index|2017}}}} * {{cite report |title=The Media |work=Hong Kong: The Facts |publisher=Hong Kong Government |date=December 2017 |url=https://www.gov.hk/en/about/abouthk/factsheets/docs/media.pdf |ref={{harvid|Media Facts|2017}}}} * {{cite report |title=Thematic Report: Household Income Distribution in Hong Kong |work=2021 Population By-Census |publisher=Census and Statistics Department |date=May 2023 |url=https://www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/data/stat_report/product/B1120108/att/B11201082021XXXXB0100.pdf |ref={{harvid|Household Income Distribution|2021}}}} * {{cite report |title=Tourism |work=Hong Kong: The Facts |publisher=Hong Kong Government |date=May 2016 |url=https://www.gov.hk/en/about/abouthk/factsheets/docs/tourism.pdf |ref={{harvid|Tourism Facts|2016}}}} * {{cite report |title=Transport |work=Hong Kong: The Facts |publisher=Hong Kong Government |date=May 2016 |url=https://www.gov.hk/en/about/abouthk/factsheets/docs/transport.pdf |ref={{harvid|Transport Facts|2016}}}} * {{cite report |title=Report on Study of Road Traffic Congestion in Hong Kong |publisher=Transport and Housing Bureau |date=December 2014 |url=http://www.thb.gov.hk/eng/boards/transport/land/Full_Eng_C_cover.pdf |ref={{harvid|Traffic Congestion Study|2014}} |access-date=21 November 2017 |archive-date=23 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220423133342/https://www.thb.gov.hk/eng/boards/transport/land/Full_Eng_C_cover.pdf |url-status=dead}} * {{cite report |author=Transport and Housing Bureau |author-link=Transport and Housing Bureau |title=Technical Legislative Amendments on Traffic Arrangements for the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge |publisher=Legislative Council |date=19 April 2017 |url=https://www.legco.gov.hk/yr16-17/english/subleg/brief/2017ln060-065_brf.pdf |ref={{harvid|Technical Legislative Amendments on Traffic Arrangements for the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge|2017}}}} * {{cite report |title=Transport: Statistical Highlights |publisher=Legislative Council |date=28 October 2016 |url=https://www.legco.gov.hk/research-publications/english/1617issh06-public-transport-20161028-e.pdf |ref={{harvid|Transport Statistical Highlights|2016}}}} * {{cite report |title=Triennial Central Bank Survey: Foreign exchange turnover in April 2016 |publisher=Bank for International Settlements |date=September 2016 |url=http://www.bis.org/publ/rpfx16fx.pdf |ref={{harvid|Triennial Central Bank Survey|2016}}}} * {{cite report |title=Usage of Information Technology and the Internet by Hong Kong Residents, 2000 to 2016 |publisher=Census and Statistics Department |date=November 2017 |url=http://www.statistics.gov.hk/pub/B71711FB2017XXXXB0100.pdf |ref={{harvid|IT and Internet Usage|2017}}}} * {{cite report |title=Use of Chinese in Court Proceedings |publisher=Legislative Council |year=2011 |url=http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr11-12/english/sec/library/1112in17-e.pdf |ref={{harvid|Use of Chinese in Court Proceedings|2011}} |access-date=16 November 2017 |archive-date=9 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809065252/https://www.legco.gov.hk/yr11-12/english/sec/library/1112in17-e.pdf |url-status=dead}} * {{cite report |title=Water Supplies |work=Hong Kong: The Facts |publisher=Hong Kong Government |date=May 2016 |url=https://www.gov.hk/en/about/abouthk/factsheets/docs/water_supplies.pdf |ref={{harvid|Water Supply Facts|2016}}}} * {{cite report |title=Women and Men in Hong Kong Key Statistics |publisher=Census and Statistics Department |date=July 2017 |url=http://www.statistics.gov.hk/pub/B11303032017AN17B0100.pdf |ref={{harvid|Women and Men in Hong Kong Key Statistics|2017}}}} * {{cite report |last1=Yu |first1=Jian Zhen |last2=Huang |first2=Hilda |last3=Ng |first3=Wai Man |title=Final Report for Provision of Service for Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) Sample Chemical Analysis |publisher=Environmental Protection Department |date=June 2013 |url=http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/sites/default/files/epd/english/environmentinhk/air/studyrpts/files/final_report_mvtmpms_2012.pdf}} {{refend}}

===News and magazine articles=== {{refbegin|30em|indent=yes}} * {{cite news |last1=Baldwin |first1=Clare |author1-link=Clare Baldwin |last2=Lee |first2=Yimou |last3=Jim |first3=Clare |date=30 December 2014 |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-hongkong-china-economy-specialreport/special-report-the-mainlands-colonization-of-the-hong-kong-economy-idUSKBN0K901320141231 |title=Special Report: The mainland's colonisation of the Hong Kong economy |work=Reuters |access-date=26 December 2017}} * {{cite news |last=Bland |first=Ben |date=31 July 2016 |title=Hong Kong ban on pro-independence candidates sparks backlash |newspaper=Financial Times |url=https://www.ft.com/content/c6e07268-56fd-11e6-9f70-badea1b336d4 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/https://www.ft.com/content/c6e07268-56fd-11e6-9f70-badea1b336d4 |archive-date=10 December 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=26 June 2018}} * {{cite news |last=Chan |first=Bernice |date=17 July 2017 |title=Hong Kong villagers using solar energy to help power their homes – and show its potential as a source of electricity for city |url=https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/article/2102674/hong-kong-villagers-using-solar-energy-help-power-their-homes-and-show-its |newspaper=South China Morning Post |access-date=25 November 2017}} * {{cite news |last=Chao |first=York |date=25 May 2013 |title=Racist Hong Kong is still a fact |url=https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1245226/racist-hong-kong-still-fact |newspaper=South China Morning Post |access-date=18 November 2017}} * {{cite news |last=Cheung |first=Stephanie |date=23 March 2015 |title=The case for extending Hong Kong's 2047 deadline |newspaper=South China Morning Post |url=https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1742930/case-extending-hong-kongs-2047-deadline |access-date=22 May 2018}} * {{cite news |last=Cheung |first=Tony |date=10 May 2016 |title=Too soon to talk about 2047? Legal experts split on when Hong Kong should debate its future |newspaper=South China Morning Post |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/1943075/too-soon-talk-about-2047-legal-experts-split-when-hong-kong |access-date=22 May 2018}} * {{cite news |last=Cheung |first=Tony |date=28 February 2017 |title=Who goes there? Hong Kong's participation in China's 'two sessions' explained |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2074786/who-goes-there-chinas-annual-two-sessions-event-explained |newspaper=South China Morning Post |access-date=27 November 2017}} * {{cite news |last1=Cheung |first1=Tony |last2=Ho |first2=Lauren |date=19 January 2013 |title=CY Leung insists housing policy won't cause property crash |newspaper=South China Morning Post |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1131216/cy-leung-insists-housing-policy-wont-cause-property-crash |access-date=14 November 2017}} * {{cite magazine |last=Chow |first=Vivienne |date=16 March 2017 |title=Hong Kong's TVB Targeting New Revenues With OTT Platform, Productions |magazine=Variety |url=https://variety.com/2017/tv/asia/hong-kong-tvb-new-ott-platform-productions-1202010080/ |access-date=6 June 2018}} * {{cite magazine |last=Darrach |first=Amanda |date=14 June 2019 |title=How many really marched in Hong Kong? And how should we best guess crowd size? |magazine=Columbia Journalism Review |url=https://www.cjr.org/analysis/how-many-marched-protests-hong-kong-how-guess-crowd-size.php |access-date=23 October 2019}} * {{cite news |title=End of an experiment |newspaper=The Economist |date=15 July 2010 |url=https://www.economist.com/briefing/2010/07/15/end-of-an-experiment |access-date=5 September 2010 |ref={{sfnref|"End of an experiment", ''The Economist''}}}} * {{cite news |last=Frank |first=Robert |date=5 September 2018 |title=Hong Kong topples New York as world's richest city |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/09/05/hong-kong-topples-new-york-as-worlds-richest-city.html |publisher=CNBC |access-date=21 April 2019}} * {{cite news |last=Gargan |first=Edward A. |date=1 July 1997 |title=China Resumes Control of Hong Kong, Concluding 156 Years of British Rule |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/07/01/world/china-resumes-control-of-hong-kong-concluding-156-years-of-british-rule.html |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=5 January 2018}} * {{cite news |last=Ge |first=Celine |date=28 July 2017 |title=It's fade out for Hong Kong's film industry as China moves into the spotlight |url=https://www.scmp.com/business/article/2104540/its-fade-out-hong-kongs-film-industry-china-moves-spotlight |newspaper=South China Morning Post |access-date=28 May 2018}} * {{cite news |last=Gold |first=Anne |date=6 July 2001 |title=Hong Kong's Mile-Long Escalator System Elevates the Senses: A Stairway to Urban Heaven |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/07/06/style/hong-kongs-milelong-escalator-system-elevates-the-senses-a-stairway-to.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322100224/http://www.nytimes.com/2001/07/06/style/hong-kongs-milelong-escalator-system-elevates-the-senses-a-stairway-to.html |archive-date=22 March 2017 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=22 October 2010}} * {{cite news |last1=Griffiths |first1=James |last2=Lazarus |first2=Sarah |date=22 October 2018 |title=World's longest sea-crossing bridge opens between Hong Kong and China |publisher=CNN |url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/21/world/hong-kong-zhuhai-macau-bridge-intl/index.html |access-date=15 February 2019}} * {{cite news |last=Haas |first=Benjamin |date=14 July 2017 |title=Hong Kong pro-democracy legislators disqualified from parliament |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/14/hong-kong-pro-democracy-legislators-disqualified-parliament |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=5 July 2018}} * {{cite news |last=He |first=Huifeng |date=13 January 2013 |title=Forgotten stories of the great escape to Hong Kong |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1126786/forgotten-stories-huge-escape-hong-kong |newspaper=South China Morning Post |access-date=27 December 2017}} * {{cite news |last1=Hollingsworth |first1=Julia |last2=Zheng |first2=Sarah |date=27 March 2017 |title=Top 10 Hong Kong skyscraper nicknames, from the Big Syringe to the Hong Kong Finger |url=https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/article/2081852/top-10-hong-kong-skyscraper-nicknames-big-syringe-hong-kong-finger |newspaper=South China Morning Post |access-date=26 June 2018}} * {{cite news |last=Huang |first=Echo |date=15 November 2016 |title=A Hong Kong court has disqualified two legislators who refused to take their oath "correctly" |url=https://qz.com/837562/a-hong-kong-court-has-disqualifed-yau-wia-ching-and-baggio-leung-from-the-legco-for-refusing-to-take-their-oath-correctly/ |newspaper=Quartz |access-date=5 July 2018}} * {{cite news |last=Kaiman |first=Jonathan |date=30 September 2014 |title=Hong Kong's umbrella revolution – the Guardian briefing |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/30/-sp-hong-kong-umbrella-revolution-pro-democracy-protests |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=3 February 2018}} * {{cite magazine |last=Kong |first=Daniel |date=8 August 2013 |title=Hong Kong Imports Over 90% of Its Food. Can It Learn to Grow? |url=http://modernfarmer.com/2013/08/hong-kong-imports-over-90-of-its-food-can-it-learn-to-grow/ |magazine=Modern Farmer |access-date=26 October 2013 |archive-date=29 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029191633/http://modernfarmer.com/2013/08/hong-kong-imports-over-90-of-its-food-can-it-learn-to-grow/ |url-status=dead}} * {{cite news |last=Kwok |first=Donny |date=22 September 2018 |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-hongkong-china-train/all-aboard-hong-kong-bullet-train-signals-high-speed-integration-with-china-idUSKCN1M301T |title=All aboard: Hong Kong bullet train signals high-speed integration with China |work=Reuters |access-date=26 September 2018}} * {{cite magazine |last=Labarre |first=Suzanne |date=15 June 2010 |title=Ingenious Flipper Bridge Melds Left-Side Drivers With Right-Side Drivers |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/1660258/ingenious-flipper-bridge-melds-left-side-drivers-right-side-drivers |magazine=Fast Company |access-date=25 March 2018}} * {{cite news |last=Lendon |first=Brad |date=29 June 2017 |title=China makes its military more visible in Hong Kong |url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/06/27/asia/china-military-hong-kong/index.html |publisher=CNN |access-date=22 December 2017}} * {{cite news |last=Lhatoo |first=Yonden |date=17 September 2015 |title=Racism is rife in Hong Kong and the Equal Opportunities Commission is a toothless hamster to tackle it |url=https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1859049/racism-rife-hong-kong-and-equal-opportunities-commission |newspaper=South China Morning Post |access-date=18 November 2017}} * {{cite news |last=Liu |first=Alfred |date=5 September 2018 |title=These Are the Cities With the Most Ultra-Rich People |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-09-06/hong-kong-passes-new-york-as-home-to-the-most-ultra-rich-people |newspaper=Bloomberg News |access-date=21 April 2019}} * {{cite news |last=Mok |first=Danny |date=14 February 2018 |title=Going up! Prices for Hong Kong's famous Peak Tram to increase for second time in less than two years |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/community/article/2133393/going-prices-hong-kongs-famous-peak-tram-increased-second |newspaper=South China Morning Post |access-date=2 July 2018}} * {{cite news |last1=Mok |first1=Danny |last2=Lee |first2=Eddie |date=4 March 2015 |title=Let Hongkongers serve in China's People's Liberation Army, says top military official |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1729129/let-hongkongers-serve-chinas-peoples-liberation-army-says-top |newspaper=South China Morning Post |access-date=27 November 2017}} * {{cite news |last1=Ngo |first1=Jennifer |last2=Cheung |first2=Elizabeth |date=16 March 2016 |title=A case for inclusion: Carrie Lam pledges to tout list of 16 ethnic minority Hongkongers for government advisory positions |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/1928626/case-inclusion-carrie-lam-pledges-tout-list-16-ethnic |newspaper=South China Morning Post |access-date=18 November 2017}} * {{cite news |last=Park |first=Kyunghee |date=23 January 2019 |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-01-23/hong-kong-port-falls-to-lowest-position-in-at-least-40-years |title=Once the World's Greatest Port, Hong Kong Sinks in Global Ranking |newspaper=Bloomberg News |access-date=14 February 2019}} * {{cite news |last=Sala |first=Ilaria Maria |date=1 September 2016 |title=As Hong Kong goes to the polls, why isn't the Communist Party on the ballot? 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===Websites=== {{refbegin|30em|indent=yes}} * {{cite web |last1=Bush |first1=Richard C. |last2=Whelan-Wuest |first2=Maeve |date=29 March 2017 |title=Another Hong Kong election, another pro-Beijing leader—why it matters |url=https://www.brookings.edu/blog/order-from-chaos/2017/03/29/another-hong-kong-election-another-pro-beijing-leader-why-it-matters |website=Brookings Institution |access-date=18 November 2017}} * {{cite web |last=Desjardins |first=Jeff |date=14 March 2018 |title=These 25 countries have the most billionaires |website=Business Insider |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/these-25-countries-have-the-most-billionaires-2018-3 |access-date=3 April 2018}} * {{cite web |title=Disclaimer and Copyright Notice |url=http://www.legco.gov.hk/english/disclaim.htm |website=Legislative Council |access-date=27 November 2017 |ref={{sfnref|Legislative Council Disclaimer and Copyright Notice}}}} * {{cite web |last=Ghoshal |first=Amoy |date=1 July 2011 |title=Asian Cup: Know Your History – Part One (1956–1988) |url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/8/main/2011/01/07/2293901/asian-cup-know-your-history-part-one-1956-1988 |website=Goal |access-date=5 March 2018}} * {{cite web |title=HK records hottest day before typhoon |date=23 August 2017 |website=EJ Insight |url=http://www.ejinsight.com/20170823-hk-records-hottest-day-before-typhoon/ |access-date=29 August 2018 |ref={{sfnref|"HK records hottest day before typhoon", ''EJ Insight''}} |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180729141559/http://www.ejinsight.com/20170823-hk-records-hottest-day-before-typhoon/ |archive-date=29 July 2018 |url-status=dead}} * {{cite web |title=HK vs China GDP: A sobering reality |date=9 June 2017 |website=EJ Insight |url=http://www.ejinsight.com/20170609-hk-versus-china-gdp-a-sobering-reality/ |access-date=29 January 2018 |ref={{sfnref|"HK vs China GDP: A sobering reality", ''EJ Insight''}} |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180829090354/http://www.ejinsight.com/20170609-hk-versus-china-gdp-a-sobering-reality/ |archive-date=29 August 2018 |url-status=dead}} * {{cite web |title=Hong Kong Activists Stare Down 'Great Firewall of China' |date=29 September 2014 |publisher=NBC News |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/hong-kong-protests/hong-kong-activists-stare-down-great-firewall-china-n213911 |access-date=21 June 2018 |ref={{sfnref|"Hong Kong Activists Stare Down 'Great Firewall of China'", ''NBC News''}}}} * {{Cite news |title=Hong Kong profile – Media |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-pacific-16525992 |date=5 March 2018 |work=BBC News |access-date=29 May 2018 |ref={{sfnref|"Hong Kong media profile", ''BBC News''}}}} * {{cite web |last=Kohlstedt |first=Kurt |date=5 September 2016 |title=Here Be Dragons: How Feng Shui Shapes the Skyline of Hong Kong |url=https://99percentinvisible.org/article/dragons-feng-shui-shapes-skyline-hong-kong/ |website=99% Invisible |access-date=23 June 2018}} * {{cite web |last=Kwong |first=Chi Man |date=9 September 2015 |title=Hong Kong during World War II: A Transnational Battlefield |url=http://theasiadialogue.com/2015/09/09/hong-kong-during-world-war-ii-a-transnational-battlefield/ |publisher=University of Nottingham |access-date=22 January 2018 |archive-date=27 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180627034106/http://theasiadialogue.com/2015/09/09/hong-kong-during-world-war-ii-a-transnational-battlefield/ |url-status=dead}} * {{cite news |last1=Lam |first1=Eric |last2=Qiu |first2=Yue |date=23 June 2017 |title=Hong Kong's Stock Market Tells the Story of China's Growing Dominance |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2017-hang-seng-index/ |website=Bloomberg News |access-date=26 December 2017}} * {{cite web |title=Land Use in Hong Kong 2017 |url=http://www.pland.gov.hk/pland_en/info_serv/statistic/landu.html |website=Planning Department |access-date=1 September 2018 |ref={{sfnref|"Land Use in Hong Kong 2017", Planning Department}} |archive-date=19 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019212830/http://www.pland.gov.hk/pland_en/info_serv/statistic/landu.html |url-status=dead}} * {{cite web |title=Meanings of Right of Abode and Other Terms |url=http://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/roa/term.html |website=Immigration Department |access-date=18 November 2017 |ref={{sfnref|"Meanings of Right of Abode and Other Terms", Immigration Department}}}} {{refend}}

==External links== {{Sister project links|voy=Hong Kong|d=Q8646|Hong Kong}} * {{CIA World Factbook}} (country: Honk Kong) * [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-16517764 Hong Kong] from BBC News * [http://www.ifs.du.edu/ifs/frm_CountryProfile.aspx?Country=HK Key Development Forecasts for Hong Kong] from International Futures * [https://arthistory.hku.hk/HKinTransition/ Hong Kong in Transition (1995–2020)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250320232844/https://arthistory.hku.hk/HKinTransition/ |date=20 March 2025 }}, an open access photographic archive of recent Hong Kong history

'''Government''' * [http://www.gov.hk/ GovHK] Hong Kong SAR government portal * [https://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/index.html Discover Hong Kong] Official site of the tourism board

'''Trade''' * [https://wits.worldbank.org/CountryProfile/en/Country/HKG/Year/2019/Summary World Bank Summary Trade Statistics Hong Kong]

'''Maps''' * {{Wikiatlas|Hong Kong}} * {{OSM relation|913110}}

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