1.
Demographics of Hong Kong
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Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated areas in the world, with an overall density of some 6,300 people per square kilometre. At the same time, Hong Kong has one of the world’s lowest birth rates—1.11 per woman of child-bearing age as of 2012, far below the replacement rate of 2.1. It is estimated that 26. 8% of the population will be aged 65 or more in 2033, Hong Kong recorded 8.2 births per 1,000 people in 2005-2010. Ethnically, Hong Kong mainly consists of Han Chinese who constitute approximately 92% of the population, of these, many originate from various regions in Canton. There are also a number of descendants of immigrants from elsewhere in Southern China, in English, the term Hong Kongers is also used to refer to Hong Kongese people, while the term Hongkongese is sometimes used as an adjective to describe people or things related to Hong Kong. The following census data is available for Hong Kong between the years 1841-2011, in 2011, Hong Kong had a population of just over 7 million, with a density of approximately 6,300 people per square kilometer. This makes Hong Kong the fourth most densely populated region in the world, after Macau, Monaco, the national census does not subdivide people of European descent, nor does it categorise Chinese ethnic subgroups. However, the majority of Hong Kongers of Chinese descent trace their ancestry to various parts of Southern China, some Cantonese people also originate from Hakka-speaking villages in the New Territories. Most Teochew-speaking migrants immigrated to Hong Kong from the late 1940s to the early 1970s, many Taishanese and Cantonese also migrated after 1949. Currently, the ethnic groups include the Punti, Hakka, Cantonese, Hoklo. Punti and Tanka are Hong Kong indigenous people, while Cantonese people are not Hong Kong indigenous people, the following table shows birth rates and mortality rates in Hong Kong between 1950-2015. At the end of the 20th century, Hong Kong had one of the lowest birth rates in the world. However, the number of births doubled in the decade between 2001-2011, largely due to an increase in the number of children born in Hong Kong to women with residence in Mainland China. In 2001 there were 7,810 births to Mainland women out of a total of 48,219 births and this increased to 37,253 births to Mainland women out of a total of 82,095 births. According to The World Factbook in 2013, the infant mortality rate in Hong Kong was 2.89 deaths/1,000 live births. People in Hong Kong follow a range of religions, although most people of Chinese descent follow Taoist, Confucian, or Buddhist faiths
2.
Culture of Hong Kong
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The culture of Hong Kong can best be described as a foundation that began with China, and became more influenced by British colonialism. After the 1997 transfer of sovereignty to the Peoples Republic of China, one-hundred-fifty years of rule as a separate British colony, as well as political separation from the rest of mainland China have resulted in a unique local identity. Structurally, one of the first laws to define peoples relationships was the Hong Kong Matrimonial Ordinance passed in 1972, the law set the precedent of banning concubinage and same sex marriages with a strict declaration for heterosexual relationships with one partner only. Other economic changes include families in need of due to both parents working. In particular, foreign domestic helpers have become an part of the household since the late 1980s. Traditional Chinese values such as family solidarity, courtesy and saving face carry significant weight in the minds of the people, Hong Kongs mainstream culture derives from, or is heavily influenced by, the Cantonese from the neighbouring province of Guangdong, China. There are also communities of Hakka, Fukien, Teochew. Although Cantonese is not one of the Hong Kong indigenous languages, since the 1997 handover, the government has adopted the biliterate and trilingual policy. Hakka is commonly used in villages in New Territories and Hakka ethnic communities in Hong Kong since Hakka is one of the indigenous languages for Hong Kong indigenous people. Punti Language, another form of Hong Kong indigenous languages, are spoken by the older generation living in walled villages in New Territories. The Tanka people from the villages is another group of Hong Kong indigenous people. Their language, Tanka, with their own variation of Cantonese, is another form of Hong Kong indigenous languages, a significant amount of the adherents of non-indigenous Chinese religions, in some cases the majority, are Hong Kong people of non-Chinese descent. The traditional Chinese religiosity, including Chinese Buddhism, was discouraged during the British rule over Hong Kong. With the end of the British rule and the handover of the sovereignty of the city-state to China, there has been a renewal of Buddhist and Chinese folk religions. There are some distinctive holidays that are celebrated in Hong Kong as a part of eastern culture, the most well known is Chinese New Year, which occurs approximately a month after Gregorian New Year, variably in late January or early February. Other events include the Dragon Boat Festival, where Zongzi is made by millions at home as part of the tradition, Dragon boats also compete for regional awards. Mid-Autumn Festival is another highly celebrated event, involving the purchase of Mooncakes from Chinese bakery shops. Category, Hong Kong artists For participation or viewing, Hong Kong has available different kinds of performing arts, including drama, dance, music, Hong Kong is also home to the first full-time comedy club in Asia, The TakeOut Comedy Club Hong Kong
3.
Hong Kong
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Hong Kong, officially the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the Peoples Republic of China, is an autonomous territory on the Pearl River Delta of East Asia. Macau lies across the delta to the west, and the Chinese province of Guangdong borders the territory to the north. With a total area of 1,106 square kilometres. Hong Kong was later occupied by Japan during World War II until British control resumed in 1945, under the principle of one country, two systems, Hong Kong maintains a separate political and economic system from China. Except in military defence and foreign affairs, Hong Kong maintains its independent executive, legislative, in addition, Hong Kong develops relations directly with foreign states and international organisations in a broad range of appropriate fields. Hong Kong is one of the worlds most significant financial centres, with the highest Financial Development Index score and consistently ranks as the worlds most competitive and freest economic entity. As the worlds 8th largest trading entity, its legal tender, Hong Kongs tertiary sector dominated economy is characterised by simple taxation with a competitive level of corporate tax and supported by its independent judiciary system. However, while Hong Kong has one of the highest per capita incomes in the world and it has a very high Human Development Index ranking and the worlds longest life expectancy. Over 90% of the population use of well-developed public transportation. Seasonal air pollution with origins from neighbouring areas of Mainland China. Hong Kong was officially recorded in the 1842 Treaty of Nanking to encompass the entirety of the island, before 1842, the name referred to a small inlet—now Aberdeen Harbour, literally means Little Hong Kong)—between Aberdeen Island and the southern coast of Hong Kong Island. Aberdeen was a point of contact between British sailors and local fishermen. Detailed and accurate romanisation systems for Cantonese were available and in use at the time, fragrance may refer to the sweet taste of the harbours fresh water estuarine influx of the Pearl River or to the incense from factories lining the coast of northern Kowloon. The incense was stored near Aberdeen Harbour for export before Hong Kong developed Victoria Harbour, the name had often been written as the single word Hongkong until the government adopted the current form in 1926. Nevertheless, a number of century-old institutions still retain the form, such as the Hongkong Post, Hongkong Electric. As of 1997, its name is the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the Peoples Republic of China. This is the title as mentioned in the Hong Kong Basic Law. Hong Kong has carried many nicknames, the most famous among those is the Pearl of the Orient, which reflected the impressive nightscape of the citys light decorations on the skyscrapers along both sides of the Victoria Harbour
4.
Census in Hong Kong
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Population census in Hong Kong, a collection of demographic data in Hong Kong, is conducted by the Census and Statistics Department of the Hong Kong Government. The census has been held ten years since 1961 and the by-census is held between two census. The last census was in March 2011 and by-census was from 15 July to 1 August 2006, the census is based on the administrative districts in Hong Kong to find out the characteristics and trends in population. The census is conducted on a scale and a wide range of data are collected. Statistics collected would be a reference for Hong Kong Government to make policy, Census and Statistics Ordinance, which was first effective in 1978, is the main law governing the work of the Census and Statistics Department. The Ordinance provides for the taking of a census of population and it also provides strict safeguards on the confidentiality of data pertaining to individuals or undertakings. In particular, Section 4 stated that each person aged 15 or above occupying any premises subject to census shall give to the Commissioner particulars of the matters specified in the Ordinance. Since 1841, when Hong Kong Island was ceded to the United Kingdom, the modern census began in 1961, and by-census in 1966 and continues every 10 years. The census in 1961 and 1971 collected the details from every resident, in the 2001 census,1 in 7 households completed the long questionnaire and in the 2011 census, it was 1 in 10. The by-census is similar to the census except relying solely on a sample of households to deduce the characteristics. 10% of households were sampled in the 2006 by-census, when census was conducted by questionnaire, a questionnaire was sent to each household and sent back to the department by the household. For interview, an enumerator would visit each household and fill detailed questionnaires for each household member. March is often selected as the month to avoid extreme weather conditions like typhoons. In order to recruit sufficient enumerators from secondary schools, a holiday is implemented during the census year. The main source of enumerators are from teachers and university students, in the 2006 by-census,5000 of enumerators were recruited with wages between HK$6528 to 11648. Under the Census and Statistics Ordinance, specified persons are legally obliged to provide the information required by the 2001 Population Census, people who refuse to do so are liable to a fine of $500. Also, people wilfully providing untrue answers are liable to a fine of $5,000, in theory, the census counts every household member, even including illegal immigrants. To encourage those interviewed to provide answers, their information provided is strictly confidential
5.
Health in Hong Kong
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Hong Kongs medical infrastructure consists of a mixed medical economy, with 11 private hospitals and 42 public hospitals. There are also polyclinics that offer primary care services, including dentistry, Hong Kong is one of the healthiest places in the world. Hong Kong has high standards of medical practice and it has contributed to the development of liver transplantation, being the first in the world to carry out an adult to adult live donor liver transplant in 1993. Hong Kong has only about 1.7 doctors per 1000 people, only 11 doctors qualified outside the country work in the public hospital system because the Medical Council places barriers to the employment of foreign doctors. There are about 6000 registered practitioners of Traditional Chinese medicine, free treatment, with small co-payments, is available to people with a Hong Kong identity card and to resident children under the age of 11. Between 2007 and 2011 public spending on healthcare increased by 30%, in 2014/5, it was about 17% of all government expenditure. The Department of Health, under the Food and Health Bureau, is the adviser of Hong Kong government. Its main role is to safeguard the health of the community through promotive, preventive, curative and rehabilitative services in Hong Kong. The Hospital Authority is a body established on 1 December 1990 under the Hospital Authority Ordinance to manage all 42 public hospitals. It is mainly responsible for delivering a range of secondary and tertiary specialist care. The Authority also provides primary medical services in 74 primary care clinics. Other healthcare discipline programs are dispersed among other universities which do not host a medical faculty. Hong Kongs 11 private hospitals have partnered with the United Kingdom for international healthcare accreditation, all 11 hospitals are Trent Hospitals and have been surveyed and accredited by the United Kingdoms Trent Accreditation Scheme. The government is proposing a Voluntary Health Insurance Scheme in order to more use of the private sector. The Voluntary Health Insurance Scheme is one of the major medical healthcare reforms proposed by the government, in Hong Kong, the public and private sectors complement each other under a well-established dual-track healthcare system. However, there is an imbalance between the two sectors. Public hospitals take up more than 88% of in-patient services with government subsidies. Thus, the sector can focus on providing services in its target areas
6.
Hong Kong people
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Hong Kong people, also known as Hong Kongers or Hong Kongese, are people who originate from or live in Hong Kong. The terms have no legal definition by the Hong Kong Government, more terms such as Hong Kong Permanent Resident. However, the words Hongkonger and Hong Kongese were officially added to the Oxford English Dictionary in March 2014, Hong Kong people do not comprise one particular ethnicity, and people that live in Hong Kong are independent of Chinese citizenship and residency status. Expatriates from many other live and work in the city. During the years leading up to the 1997 handover of sovereignty from Britain to China, many residents left Hong Kong, as a result, there are groups of Hong Kongers that hold immigrant status in other countries. Some who emigrated during that period have since returned to Hong Kong, due to Chinas one country, two systems policy, Hong Kong is a highly autonomous region and operates largely independently of China, having its own passport, currency, flag, and official languages. The terms Hongkonger, Hong Kongese, and Hong Kong people all translate to the same Cantonese term, the direct translation of this is Hong Kong people, however, the term Hong Konger is also frequently used. 香港人 may also be translated as Hongkongan, in March 2014, Hongkonger and Hong Kongese were both added to the Oxford English Dictionary. According to the Dictionary, the first time that the term Hong Kongese appeared was in 1878, while the term Hongkonger appeared even earlier, in an 1870 edition of US newspaper The Daily Independent. The term Hong Kong Chinese was frequently used during the British colonial era and it was common at that time to refer to an individual as Hong Kong Chinese to differentiate them from a Hong Kong Briton. The term is used to refer to Hong Kongers of Chinese ethnicity. The Hong Kong Basic Law gives a legal definition of a Hong Kong resident. Under Article 24 of the Basic Law, Hong Kong residents can be classified as permanent or non-permanent residents. Non-permanent residents are those who have the right to hold a Hong Kong Identity Card, Permanent residents are those who have the right to hold a Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card as well as the right of abode. The Basic Law allows residents to acquire right of abode by birth in Hong Kong, for example, residents of China may settle in Hong Kong for family reunification purposes if they obtain a One-way Permit. Unlike many countries, Hong Kong does not require applicants for naturalisation to take a citizenship or language test to become citizens. However, Hong Kong migrants and residents are assumed to understand their obligation under Article 24 of the Hong Kong Basic Law to abide by the laws of Hong Kong. According to Hong Kongs 2011 census,93. 6% of its population is ethnically Chinese, with 32. 1% having been born in Mainland China, Taiwan or Macau
7.
Hong Kong residents
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Hong Kong residents, also called Residents of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, according to the Hong Kong Basic Law include permanent residents and non-permanent residents. Rights of Hong Kong residents are protected by the Basic Law such as freedom of speech, freedom of movement, Hong Kong permanent residents have the right of abode in Hong Kong and the right to vote in elections for the Legislative Council and the District Council. Under the Hong Kong Basic Law, permanent residents are,1, Chinese citizens born in Hong Kong before or after the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region,2. Chinese citizens who have resided in Hong Kong for a continuous period of not less than seven years before or after the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region,3. Persons of Chinese nationality born outside Hong Kong of those listed in categories. Persons under 21 years of age born in Hong Kong of those listed in category before or after the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Persons other than those listed in categories to, who. The status of permanent resident was first introduced into Hong Kong law on 1 July 1987 when it replaced Hong Kong belonger status in the Hong Kong Immigration Ordinance Cap 115. Non-permanent residents of Hong Kong are persons qualified to obtain Hong Kong Identity Cards but have no right of abode
8.
Hong Kong Identity Card
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The Hong Kong Identity Card is an official identity document issued by the Immigration Department of Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card is a class of HKID issued to Hong Kong residents who have the right of abode in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, HKIDs contain amongst others the name of the bearer in English, and if applicable in Chinese. It does not expire for the duration of residency in Hong Kong, the use of identity documents has a long history in Hong Kong, starting with manually filled paper documents, to the smart card introduced on 23 June 2003. Before 1949, people could move freely into and out of Hong Kong, Hong Kong residents who held Republic of China citizenship were not registered. These measures were put into practice to halt the influx of refugees from Communist China. The registration was completed in 1951, although registration was compulsory for all residents, people were not required to carry their documents with them at all times when out in public. Beginning on 1 June 1960, the government introduced the second generation of ID cards and these bore the holders fingerprint and photograph, and an official stamp. The information was typed, and the card was laminated, males had a blue card and females had a red card. The format of card was replaced in November 1973 with a card without fingerprints, the colour of the stamp identified and differentiated permanent residents from non-permanent ones. New immigrants subsequently became known colloquially as green stamp guests, from 24 October 1980, carrying the identity card in public areas and showing it when requested by a police or immigration officer became compulsory. This law was passed to halt large numbers of immigrants arriving in the territory. The government adopted a policy of deporting illegal immigrants within three if they could not produce a valid ID card. From March 1983, digitally processed identity cards were introduced to reduce forgery, on 1 June 1987, the Immigration Department produced cards without the coat of arms of British Hong Kong, which would last through the handover on 1 July 1997. Following the handover the cards display a seal of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in the back of the card. In 2003, the government began replacing the cards with smart IDs in stages, from 23 June 2003, only Smart ID cards were issued. Between August 2003 to 2007, all Hong Kong ID cards were replaced, on 23 June 2003, the Immigration Department of Hong Kong began issuing a new revised Smart Identity card. The new cards contain a microchip, which stores the bearers information electronically. Previous HKIDs remained valid until the Executive Council, through the Secretary for Security, in addition, existing holders of HKID documents were called to apply to have their old-style HKID documents replaced by the new cards
9.
Languages of Hong Kong
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The Basic Law of Hong Kong stipulates that Chinese and English are the two official languages of Hong Kong. During the British colonial era, English was the official language until 1974. In addition, immigrants and expatriates from the West and other Asian countries have contributed much to Hong Kongs linguistic and demographic diversity, Chinese and English are both official languages of Hong Kong under the Hong Kong Basic Law and the Official Languages Ordinance. No law stipulates choice of spoken Chinese dialect, historically, English was the sole official language of Hong Kong from 1883 to 1974. Only after demonstrations and petitions from Hong Kong people demanding equal status for Chinese did the language official in Hong Kong from 1974 onward. In March 1987, the Official Languages Ordinance was amended to require all new legislation to be enacted bilingually in both English and Chinese, in 1990, the Hong Kong Basic Law declared Englishs co-official language status with Chinese after the 1997 handover. As a result of immigration into Hong Kong from Canton Province, there are also numerous sinitic languages spoken by the native peoples of the New Territories, many of which are mutually unintelligible. Cantonese is a vernacular and when reduced to writing is normally converted to a standard written Chinese quite dissimilar to the spoken word, there is also a written language based on the vocabulary and grammar of spoken Cantonese known as written Cantonese. Although the biliterate and trilingual policy implies an absence of support for written Cantonese, it has gained popularity in media where entertainment. Written Cantonese is unintelligible to speakers and is considered nonstandard by educators despite its widespread usage in Hong Kong. Some have also credited written Cantonese for solving the challenges that standard written Chinese had faced in popular culture, traditional Chinese characters are widely used, and are the de facto writing standard in Hong Kong. Simplified Chinese is seen in some posters, leaflets, flyers, the principal language of Hong Kong is standard Cantonese, spoken by 87. 5% of the population at home daily. As an official language, it is used in education, broadcasting, government administration, legislation and judiciary, as well as for daily communication. As a result of its predominance throughout the community, Cantonese is virtually the exclusive language of discourse at all levels of the executive, legislature. A few closely related dialects to standard Cantonese continue to be spoken in Hong Kong, most notable is the Weitou dialect, which is mostly spoken by the older generation living in walled villages in New Territories. Additionally, the Tanka people from the villages on outlying islands speak their own variant of Cantonese. However, this dialect is now limited to those middle aged. Hakka is indigenous to many villages in the New Territories and within Hakka communities in Hong Kong, nowadays, outside these rural villages and older populations, younger Hakka Chinese populations communicate primarily in Cantonese
10.
Religion in Hong Kong
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Religion in Hong Kong is characterized by a multi-faith diversity of beliefs and practices. Most of the Hong Kong people of Chinese descent practice Chinese folk religion—which may include Confucian and Taoist doctrines and ritual traditions—or Buddhism, the traditional Chinese religiosity was generally discouraged during the British rule over Hong Kong, which favoured Christianity. With the end of the British rule and the handover of the sovereignty of the city-state to China, there has been a renewal of Buddhist, Chinese folk religion, also named Shenism, is the indigenous religion of the Han Chinese. Traditionally Hong Kong Chinese practised Daoist or folk religion, along with some Buddhist practices, in recent decades urban residential areas seldom have neighborhood temples. Bosco argues that modern life styles do not comport well with traditional practices. Many residents fail to recognize their practices as religious, instead they misperceive many traditional practices and rituals, such as neighborhood processions, as part of the unremarkable heritage representing traditional Hong Kong culture. Consequently, religion is often overlooked in Hong Kong, one result, says Bosco, is that diversity and tolerance are the characteristics that most mark the Hong Kong religious landscape. The major festival of Confucianism in Hong Kong is Confucius birthday that falls on the 27th day of the month of the lunar calendar. Confucians in Hong Kong have been involved in education. They run a number of schools with an objective of promoting the teachings of Confucius. Taoism is a philosophy and ritual tradition that emphasises living in harmony and union with the Tao. Notable Taoist temples in Hong Kong include the Wong Tai Sin Temple located in the Wong Tai Sin District in Kowloon and this popular temple is dedicated to Wong Tai Sin. Buddhism has a number of adherents in Hong Kong. Buddhist organisations and temples in Hong Kong have long involved in social welfare. The Buddhist Association of Hong Kong operates a primary and secondary schools. The leadership of mainstream Buddhists organisations have aligned themselves with the establishment in Hong Kong, for example, high-ranking Buddhist Associations executives have openly endorsed the re-election of the citys former Chief Executive Donald Tsang. Several of the members were on the Drafting Committee of the Basic Law. Under the leadership of the former Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa, in 1997 the government designated Buddhas Birthday as a public holiday, which replaced the Queens birthday holiday
11.
Right of abode in Hong Kong
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The right of abode in Hong Kong is the right to legally reside in Hong Kong without any limit or condition of stay being imposed by the Hong Kong Immigration Department. Since Hong Kong has never been an independent country, there is no provision for its own citizenship status, Hong Kong Permanent Resident is the legal status for those who have the right of abode in Hong Kong. Some rights in Hong Kong are granted to all permanent residents, the right of abode is enshrined in the Sino-British Joint Declaration and Hong Kong Basic Law, and is synonymous with the permanent resident status. A Hong Kong permanent resident has the right to land in the HKSAR, to be free from any condition of stay in the HKSAR, not to be deported from the HKSAR, and not to be removed from the HKSAR. During British administration prior to 1997, right of abode in Hong Kong was shaped by British nationality laws, with the Handover imminent in 1997, the Sino-British Joint Declaration and the Basic Law defined who may reside in Hong Kong once China assumes sovereignty over Hong Kong. Since Hong Kong was created a British colony in 1842, those who were born in the territory or become naturalised had British nationality and this included the right to enter and live in United Kingdom in addition to Hong Kong. By the 1960s, the United Kingdom passed the Commonwealth Immigrants Act 1962, as such, British nationals connected to Hong Kong were subjected to immigration control since 1962 and no longer had the right of abode in the United Kingdom. Until 1997, British nationality related closely with the permanent resident status which guaranteed right of abode, Hong Kong permanent residents had British nationality either by birth, naturalisation or by descent. The type of British citizenship connected to Hong Kong eventually evolved to become different from that of the United Kingdom, what has not changed is the definition that a Hong Kong permanent resident has the right of abode in Hong Kong. There was no immigration restriction into Hong Kong until 1950, people were free to travel across the Hong Kong-Chinese border. The government also began to register Hong Kong residents to issue identity cards. The Hong Kong ID card is proof of legal residency still in use today, nevertheless, the immigration boom intensified throughout the 50s and 60s with the onset of the Cultural Revolution. The government adopted the Touch Base Policy in 1974 and began repatriating immigrants intercepted at the border, the government had abolished the policy by 1980 and began repatriating all illegal immigrants once discovered. There was also a quota for PRC residents to apply for a One-way Permit under special circumstances to immigrate to Hong Kong, many Vietnamese people sought refuge in Hong Kong as a result of war and persecution in Vietnam that began in the mid-1970s. Backed by a Hong Kong Government humanitarian policy, and under the auspices of the United Nations, between 1975 and 1999,143,700 Vietnamese refugees were resettled in other countries and more than 67,000 Vietnamese migrants were repatriated. The illegal entry of Vietnamese refugees remained an issue for the Hong Kong government for 25 years, the Sino-British Joint Declaration signed on 19 December 1984 stated that the PRC would assume sovereignty over the entire ceded territory of Hong Kong on 1 July 1997. The terms right of abode first appeared in Annex I of the Declaration as the government of the Peoples Republic of China elaborated its basic policies regarding Hong Kong. Certain classes of people hold Hong Kong Permanent Resident status, and hence the right of abode, on the other hand, Article 22 states that for the purpose of entry into Hong Kong, people from other parts of China must apply for approval
12.
Cinema of Hong Kong
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The cinema of Hong Kong is one of the three major threads in the history of Chinese language cinema, alongside the cinema of China, and the cinema of Taiwan. For decades, Hong Kong was the third largest motion picture industry in the world, in the West, Hong Kongs vigorous pop cinema has long had a strong cult following, which is now arguably a part of the cultural mainstream, widely available and imitated. Economically, the industry together with the value added of cultural. Unlike many film industries, Hong Kong has enjoyed little or no government support. It is a commercial cinema, highly corporate, concentrating on crowd-pleasing genres like comedy and action. Hong Kong film derives a number of elements from Hollywood, such as certain genre parameters, but the borrowings are filtered through elements from traditional Chinese drama and art, particularly a penchant for stylisation and a disregard for Western standards of realism. This, combined with a fast and loose approach to the process, contributes to the energy. In 2010, the box office gross in Hong Kong was HK$1.339 billion, there were 56 Hong Kong films and 220 foreign films released in 2011. According to McDonald, a system emerged in Hollywood as talent scouts, coaches. In the vertically integrated Hollywood film industry of the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s, the studios made the stars and, due to notoriously restrictive terms imposed by exclusive services contracts, the studios also owned the stars. As is common in cinema, the industrys heart is a highly developed star system. In earlier days, beloved performers from the Chinese opera stage often brought their audiences with them to the screen, possibly even more important is the overlap with the Cantonese pop music industry. In the current commercially troubled climate, the casting of young Cantopop idols to attract the all-important youth audience is endemic, in the small and tightly knit industry, actors are kept very busy. During previous boom periods, the number of made by a successful figure in a single year could routinely reach double digits. Films are typically low-budget when compared with American films, a major release with a big star, aimed at hit status, will typically cost around US$5 million. A low-budget feature can go well below US$1 million, occasional blockbuster projects by the very biggest stars or international co-productions aimed at the global market, can go as high as US$20 million or more, but these are rare exceptions. Hong Kong productions can nevertheless achieve a level of gloss and lavishness greater than these numbers might suggest, given such as lower wages. Films in the Cantonese language have made in Hong Kong since the beginning
13.
Hong Kong cuisine
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From the roadside stalls to the most upscale restaurants, Hong Kong provides an unlimited variety of food in every class. Complex combinations and international gourmet expertise have given Hong Kong the reputable labels of Gourmet Paradise, Modern Hong Kong has a predominantly service-based economy, and restaurant businesses serve as a main economic contributor. With the third-densest population per square meters in the world and serving a population of 7 million, due to its small geographical size, Hong Kong contains a high number of restaurants per unit area. With Chinese ethnicity making up 94% of the resident population, Chinese cuisine is served at home. Rice is predominantly the main staple for home meals, home ingredients are picked up from local grocery stores and independent produce shops, although supermarkets have become progressively more popular. Take-out and dining out is very common, since people are often too busy to cook with an average 47-hour work week. The cuisine of Hong Kong traces its origins to its founding as a British colonial outpost in 1841, soon after the colony was founded, many British and other Western merchants along with Chinese from nearby Guangzhou flocked there to conduct business. Initially, much of Hong Kong society was segregated into expatriate Westerners, a majority of working class Chinese coolies, Chinese farmers and fishermen, the simple peasant cuisine was rudimentary compared to the cuisine of 19th century Canton. As the colony developed, there arose a need for meals to entertain businessmen, for the majority of Chinese who were not part of the merchant class, dining out in restaurants was non-existent and consisted of simple Cantonese country fares. Meat only appeared in festive occasions and celebrations such as birthdays were often done by catering services who prepared the meals at the celebrants home, the restaurant scene for Europeans in Hong Kong was segregated from Chinese dining. Elaborate colonial dining existed at the likes of Hongkong Hotel and subsequently Gloucester Hotel, Hong Kongs dining lagged behind the then-leader of Chinese cuisine, Canton, for a long time and many Hong Kong chefs spent their formative years in Canton. Canton was renowned for its food, and there was a saying of The food is in Canton. Cantonese cuisine in Canton reached its peak during the 1920s and was renowned in the care in preparation even for peasant fares such as char siu or boat congee. Dasanyuan was renowned for its braised shark fin dish that charged 60 silver yuan, the Guandong cooking style eventually trickled down to the culinary scene in Hong Kong. The victory of Chinese Communists in the Chinese Civil War in 1949 created a wave of refugees into Hong Kong, a sizeable number of refugees were from non-Cantonese speaking parts of China, including the Yangtze River Delta, and introduced Shanghai cuisine to Hong Kong. On the other hand, most renowned chefs of Canton, now known as Guangzhou in pinyin romanisation, egg tarts and Hong Kong-style milk tea soon became part of Hong Kongs food culture. It could be argued that the seeds of Hong Kong society as understood today were not sown until 1949, the Cantonese cuisine in Hong Kong had by then surpassed that of Guangzhou, which had witnessed a long period of decline after the Communists came to power. The rising prosperity from the mid-1960s had given birth to increasing demand for quality dining, many of the chefs, who spent their formative years in pre-Communist Guangzhou and Shanghai, started to bring out the best of fine dining specialties from pre-1949 Guangzhou and Shanghai
14.
Media of Hong Kong
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Media in Hong Kong are available to the public in the forms of, television and radio, newspapers, magazines and the Internet. They serve the community by providing necessary information and entertainment. Hong Kong is home to many of Asias biggest media entities and it also once had numerous newspapers funded by Kuomintang of Taiwan but all of them were terminated due to poor financial performance. The Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong publishes Kung Kao Po, a weekly newspaper, Apple Daily and Oriental Daily News are the two best selling newspapers, according to AC Nielsen, accounting for more than 60% of readership. Both are known for their anti-Hong Kong government political positions, colourful presentations, whereas Apple Daily is strongly regarded as pro-democracy, Oriental Daily is inclined to be pro-China government. Traditional PRC government-friendly journals, Ta Kung Pao and Wen Wei Po, are owned by the Central Government Liaison Office, the freedom of press is protected by the Bill of Rights, in contrast to the rest of China where control over media is pervasive. However, this freedom has been in decline since the transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong in 1997, according to the Reporters Without Borders, Hong Kong enjoyed real press freedom and ranked second in Asia after Japan in the Press Freedom Index, although it has been rapidly declining. Different views over topics sensitive in mainland China, such as the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989, Chinese Communist Party rule, and democracy are still dynamically discussed among the media. Many books banned in China, such as the memoir of Zhao Ziyang, Television and Entertainment Licensing Authority is responsible for monitoring television and radio broadcasting to secure proper standards. Radio Television Hong Kong, operates as an independent government department, non-Governmental bodies, Press Council was established in July 2000. The objective of the Council is to promote the professional and ethical standards of the industry, defend press freedom. There is no law called media law in Hong Kong, instead, the media are governed by statutory laws. In brief, there are 31 Ordinances that are related to mass media. Six of which are highlighted below, Registration of Local Newspapers Ordinance, provides for the registration of local newspapers and news agencies and the licensing of newspaper distributors. Books Registration Ordinance, provides for the registration and preservation of copies of books first printed, produced or published in Hong Kong, telecommunications Ordinance, makes better provision for the licensing and control of telecommunications, telecommunications services and telecommunications apparatus and equipment. Control of Obscene and Indecent Articles Ordinance controls and classifies articles which consist of or contain material that is obscene or indecent, Obscene Articles Tribunals are established to determine whether an article is obscene or indecent. Broadcasting Authority Ordinance, provides for the establishment and functions of a Broadcasting Authority, Broadcasting Ordinance, licenses companies to provide broadcasting services and regulate the provision of broadcasting services by licensees. The passing of Bill of Rights Ordinance in 1986 strengthened the protection of human rights like press freedom or freedom of speech
15.
Music of Hong Kong
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The Music of Hong Kong is an eclectic mixture of traditional and popular genres. Cantopop is one of the more prominent genres of music produced in Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra and the Hong Kong Sinfonietta regularly perform western classical music in the city. There is also a tradition of Cantonese opera within Hong Kong. In colonial Hong Kong, pipa was one of the instruments played by the Chinese, Western classical music was, on the other hand, the principal focus amongst British Hong Kongers with the Sino-British Orchestra being established in 1895. In the beginning of 20th century, Western pop music became popular, Mandarin pop songs in the 1920s were called Si Doi Kuk. They are considered the prototype of Chinese pop songs, in 1949 the Peoples Republic of China was established by the communist party. One of the first actions taken by the government was to denounce popular music as pornography, beginning in the 1950s massive waves of immigrants fled from Shanghai to Hong Kong. Along with it was the Pathé Records record company, which ended up becoming one of the most significant popular record companies in Hong Kong. The 1960s was marked by the rise of Hong Kong English pop which peaked until the mid-1970s among both British and Upper Middle/Upper class ethnic Chinese Hong Kongers, traditional Chinese Huangmei opera, on the other hand, had peaked in the 1960s amongst the general Chinese population. As an open economy, a vast variety of music is available in Hong Kong. Most retail music stores in Hong Kong carry Cantopop, Mandopop, imported English language pop music, Japanese pop music, larger music stores, such as HMV in Hong Kong, stock a more extensive range which includes classical music, Cantonese opera in addition to the aforementioned genres. Like Japan, audio cassettes have never been big sellers in Hong Kong, the art form is one of the first organised forms of entertainment in Hong Kong. The art form still exists today in its traditional format despite the changing trends in other industries, beginning in the 1950s, massive waves of immigrants fled Shanghai to destinations like North Point, boosting its fanbase. Cantonese Naamyam is a unique narrative singing tradition in Cantonese dialect/language, a singer would be engaged for a single performance or for regular performances over an extended period of time. Before the first half of the 20th century, naamyam sung by blind singers was a form of entertainment in Hong Kong. Prior to the development of music in the 1960s, Hong Kongs musical output was dominated by Cantonese opera. Prominent singers included Tang Kee-chan, Cheng Kuan-min, the godfather of Cantopop Roman Tam made significant strides in the industry. The youth began to gravitate towards Cantonese pop in the 70s, around 1971, Sandra Lang was invited to sing the first Cantonese TV theme song, The Yuanfen of a Wedding that Cries and Laughs
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Cantonese opera
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The Cantonese opera is one of the major categories in Chinese opera, originating in southern Chinas Guangdong Province. It is popular in Guangdong, Guangxi, Hong Kong, Macau, like all versions of Chinese opera, it is a traditional Chinese art form, involving music, singing, martial arts, acrobatics, and acting. In the 12th century, there was a form called the Nanxi or Southern drama. With the invasion of the Mongol army, Emperor Gong of the Song dynasty fled with hundreds of thousands of Song people into Guangdong in 1276, among them were Nanxi performers from Zhejiang, who brought Nanxi into Guangdong and helped develop the opera traditions in the south. Many well-known operas performed today, such as Tai Nui Fa originated in the Ming Dynasty and The Purple Hairpin originated in the Yuan Dynasty, with the lyrics, until the 20th century all the female roles were performed by males. Beginning in the 1950s massive waves of immigrants fled Shanghai to destinations like North Point and their arrival boosted the Cantonese opera fan-base significantly. However, a number of Cantonese opera troupes are left to preserve the art in Hong Kong today. As a result, many stages that were dedicated to the Cantonese genre are closing down, Hong Kongs Sunbeam Theatre is one of the last facilities that is still standing to exhibit Cantonese opera. In 1999, the Association and the Academy further conducted a two-year daytime diploma programme in performing arts in Cantonese opera in order to train professional actors and actresses. Aiming at further raising the level, the Association and the Academy launched an advanced course in Cantonese opera in the next academic year. In recent years, the Hong Kong Arts Development Council has given grants to Love and Faith Cantonese Opera Laboratory to conduct Cantonese opera classes for children, Cantonese opera shares many common characteristics with other Chinese theatre genres. Thus, music, singing, martial arts, acrobatics and acting are all featured in Cantonese opera, Most of the plots are based on Chinese history and famous Chinese classics and myths. Also, the culture and philosophies of the Chinese people can be seen in the plays, virtues are often reflected by the operas. Some particular features of Cantonese opera are, Cing sik sing - formulaic, heoi ji sing - abstraction of reality, distancing from reality. Sin ming sing - clear-cut, distinct, unambiguous, well-defined, zung hap ngai seot jing sik - a composite or synthetic art form. Sei gung ng faat - the four skills and the five methods, the four skills and five methods are a simple codification of training areas that theatre performers must master and a metaphor for the most well-rounded and thoroughly-trained performers. Before widespread formal education, Cantonese opera taught morals and messages to its audiences rather than being solely entertainment, the government used theatre to promote the idea of be loyal to the emperor and love the country. Thus, the government examined the theatre frequently and would ban any theatre if a message was conveyed or considered
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Shopping in Hong Kong
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Shopping is a popular social activity in Hong Kong, where basic items for sale do not draw any duties, sales taxation, or import taxation. Only specific import goods such as alcohol, tobacco, perfumes, cosmetics, cars, for companies, there is a 17. 5% corporate tax, which is lower than international standards. Shoppers reportedly spend over US$5.2 billion a month in Hong Kong shops, Hong Kongs proximity to manufacturing plants in China, as well as its status as a free port, allow it to sell and transport a wide variety of goods. There are few restrictions on merchandise vending, and therefore items such as realistic toy weapons are available, the two main shopping seasons are at Christmas and the Chinese New Year. The MTR subway and effective taxi service also facilitate Hong Kongs busy shopping industry, Hong Kong is the fifth largest exporter of jewellery in the world, mainly in the supply of jade and gold, and the second largest exporter of custom jewellery. Chow Seng Seng and Luk Fook are among the more well-known local jewellery chains, Street vendors or hawkers selling local snacks such as dumplings and snake soup can be found in Mong Kok and Causeway Bay. Custom tailoring is popular and affordable in Hong Kong, customers can draw out a design for clothing and have it made in a few days. Modern fashion is sold in the Times Square, IFC, and Elements shopping malls, fa Yuen Street and the Ladies Market on Tung Choi Street in Mong Kok, as well as Jardine’s Crescent in Causeway Bay, are known for the availability of low-priced clothing and accessories. Electronics from Japan and Europe are available for example in Apliu Street, there are computer appliances centers in Wan Chai, Mong Kok, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, and Causeway Bay. Japanese culture has become popular in Hong Kong, with Japanese department stores such as Sogo, Yata, Japanese clothing brands like Swordfish, Moussy, and Uniqlo have also opened flagship stores in the city. Stanley Market sells a variety of goods, particularly souvenirs. Antiques can be found on Upper Lascar Row and Hollywood Road, during its early colonial period, Hong Kong served as a port that sold far more than it consumed. Goods were mostly sold via mobile hawking or independent traders, with the majority of trade, utilities, shipping, the establishment of banks and deposit institutions allowed people to accumulate savings. The economy underwent an upturn in the 1960s, which led to the opening of shopping centres. Two of the first modern shopping centres were Ocean Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui and The Landmark in Central, daimaru led a trend of Japanese exports into Hong Kong in 1966 and Deng Xiaopings 1978 Open Door Policy made Hong Kong the definitive gateway to China. As the economy improved during the 1970s and 80s, there was increasing demand for luxury goods, in 1984, Cityplaza in Taikoo Shing was redeveloped. A large architectural project at the time was undertaken to connect Ocean Centre to the Harbour City shopping mall in Tsim Sha Tsui. Many large shopping centres were built in the new towns, including Tuen Mun Town Plaza, New Town Plaza
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Sport in Hong Kong
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Sports in Hong Kong are a significant part of its culture. Due to British influence going as far back as the late 19th century, Horse racing has most spectators, while football, basketball, swimming, badminton, table tennis, cycling and running have the most participants. In 2009, Hong Kong successfully organised the V East Asian Games, Hong Kong athletes have improved in worldwide rankings. As of 2010, there are 32 Hong Kong athletes from seven sports ranking in worlds Top 20,29 athletes in six sports in Asia top 10 ranking. Moreover, Hong Kong is equally impressive performance of athletes with disabilities in 2009, having won four world championships, Hong Kong City Hall is located today where the original location of Victoria Recreation Club stood in 1849 after having been in operation in Canton since 1832. It is the first sporting club established in Hong Kongs history, the first sports involved were water sports such as rowing. The primary sport in Hong Kong has been due mainly to British influence going as far back as the late 19th century. The first documented team came from the Chinese Football Team of 1904 and it was the first team to join The Hong Kong Football Association league in 1913/1914. At the time, the introduction of Hong Kong First Division League in 1908 was also another milestone, in the 1917 Far Eastern Games and 1919 Far Eastern Games, the club represented the Republic of China and won the football championship. It is the team in Hong Kong sports history to have accomplished this feat. Around 1920–1922, it adopted the present name of South China Athletic Association. Victoria Park was one of the range open space for pick-up games. Until the Hong Kong Stadium was built, there was no arena for spectator sports, by the 1960s a number of clubs have surfaced for mostly social reasons. Since then, Hong Kong sports has been described as Club Life, some clubs have documented their history thoroughly, while others have disappeared along with their past. After World War II the Amateur Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong was established, the committee selected athletic leaders to represent Hong Kong in times of competition. Eventually the committee known as the National Olympic Committee. After the transfer of sovereignty in 1997, Hong Kong has competed internationally under the name Hong Kong and it is treated separately from Peoples Republic of China, which is counted as another entry in the games. A variety of sports are available in Hong Kong, with most having their own association, there are also local organisations that strive to help Hong Kong residents identify sports that are not broadly advertised enough
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Hong Kong literature
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Hong Kong literature is 20th-century and subsequent writings from or about Hong Kong or by writers from Hong Kong, primarily in the poetry, performance, and fiction media. Hong Kong literature reflects the unique history during the 20th century as a fusion of British colonial, Chinese. It has mainly written in vernacular Chinese, and English. Hong Kong fiction and performance are many and varied, though only a few film and theatrical works were known internationally until the late 20th. Many modern Chinese-language publications in Hong Kong have their origins in Chinese writers who fled from Communist and Nationalist fighting during the Chinese Civil War, a significant number of Chinese intellectuals and artists moved to Hong Kong between 1927 and 1937. Many of these people viewed themselves as outsiders in the Hong Kong community, a second wave of writers came to Hong Kong in 1949 after the Communist Party of Chinas victory in the Chinese Civil War. Hong Kongs literature and arts developed quite freely throughout the 20th century, Hong Kong literature flourished domestically under these two different styles. Professors and teachers, teachers of literature encouraged research among their students and were often writers themselves, author Xu Dishan, who taught at Hong Kong University, is the most famous of these. In addition to Chinese writing, there is also a body of literature in English. Notable Hong Kong English language writers include Stewart Sloan, Nury Vittachi, Colin McAdam, Rebecca Bradley, Larry Feign, cha, An Asian Literary Journal List of Hong Kong poets List of Hong Kong authors
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Economy of Hong Kong
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Its currency, called the Hong Kong dollar, is legally issued by three major international commercial banks, and pegged to the US dollar. Interest rates are determined by the banks in Hong Kong to ensure it is fully market-driven. There is no officially recognised central banking system, although Hong Kong Monetary Authority functions as a regulatory authority. When destabilising factors are hitting the market of Hong Kong, they will be monitored and inspected by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority. Electronic finance trading is evolutionarily impacting the market of Hong Kong. According to Index of Economic Freedom, Hong Kong has had the highest degree of freedom in the world since the inception of the Index in 1995. Its economy is governed under positive non-interventionism, and is dependent on international trade. In 2009, Hong Kongs real economic growth fell by 2. 8% as a result of the financial turmoil. Despite the downturn, these strengths enable it to respond to changing circumstances. It has the most efficient and an application procedure, the lowest income tax. The government of Hong Kong consistently upheld the policy of encouraging and supporting activities of private businesses, examples include the Cyberport and the Hong Kong Disneyland. This has an impact on the overall economic performance by removing unnecessary barriers for the private enterprises in the Special Administrative Region. Hong Kongs gross domestic product has grown 180 times between 1961 and 1997, also, the GDP per capita rose by 87 times within the same time frame. By the late 20th century, Hong Kong was the seventh largest port in the world and second only to New York, Hong Kong is a full Member of World Trade Organization. The Kwai Chung container complex was the largest in Asia, while Hong Kong shipping owners were only to those of Greece in terms of total tonnage holdings in the world. The Hong Kong Stock Exchange is the sixth largest in the world, Hong Kong has also had an abundant supply of labour from the regions nearby. A skilled labour force coupled with the adoption of modern British/Western business methods and technology ensured that opportunities for trade, investment. Prices and wages in Hong Kong are relatively flexible, depending on the performance, Hong Kong raises revenues from the sale and taxation of land and through attracting international businesses to provide capital for its public finance, due to its low tax policy
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Education in Hong Kong
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Education in Hong Kong is largely modelled on that of the United Kingdom, particularly the English system. It is overseen by the Education Bureau and the Social Welfare Department, a small group of South Asian Hong Kongers marched through Central demanding more schooling in the English language on 3 June 2007. In the 2013/14 school year, there are 569 primary schools,514 secondary day schools and 61 special schools, small village Chinese schools were observed by the British missionaries when they arrived circa 1843. Anthony Sweeting believes those small village existed in Chek Chue, Shek Pai Wan, Heung Kong Tsai and Wong Nai Chong on Hong Kong Island. One of the earliest schools with reliable records was Li Ying College established in 1075 in present-day New Territories, by 1860 Hong Kong had 20 village schools. Chinese who were wealthy did not educate their children in Hong Kong, the changes came with the arrival of the British in 1841. At first Hong Kongs education came from Protestant and Catholic missionaries who provided social services, italian missionaries began to provide boy-only education to British and Chinese youth in 1843. By 1861 Frederick Stewart would become The Founder of Hong Kong Education for integrating a modern western-style education model into the Colonial Hong Kong school system, in 1862, the first government school, Queens College was set up, with Stewart serving as the first Headmaster. One of the much contested debate was whether schools should offer Vernacular education, Education was considered a luxury for the elite and the rich. The first school to open the floodgate of western medical practice to East Asia was the Hong Kong College of Medicine for Chinese, the London Missionary Society and Sir James Cantlie started the Hong Kong College of Medicine for Chinese in 1887. In addition, the London Missionary Society founded Ying Wa Girls School in 1900, belilios Public School was a girls secondary school founded in 1890 – the first government school in Hong Kong that provided bilingual education in English and Chinese. Educating the poor did not become a priority until they accounted for the majority of the population, financial issues were addressed in the 1970s. Pre-school education in Hong Kong is not free and fees are payable by pupils parents, however, parents whose children have the right of abode in Hong Kong can pay for part of their fees with a voucher from the government under the Pre-primary Education Voucher Scheme. In 2013, the amount of subsidy under the PEVS is $16,800, every child in Hong Kong, without any reasonable excuse, is required by law to attend a primary school after the child has attained the age of 6 years. It is also required to attend a school after primary education and is completed before he attains the age of 19 years. However, child who has completed Form 3 of secondary education and whose parent can produce evidence to the satisfaction of the Permanent Secretary for Education, Education in the public sector is free. Children receive primary education usually from the age of 6 until 12, six subjects are studied, including English, Chinese, mathematics, General Studies, music, visual arts and physical education. At schools with religious affiliations, religious education or bible studies may be studied as well, secondary education is separated into junior and senior years
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Geography of Hong Kong
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The geography of Hong Kong primarily consists of three main territories, Hong Kong Island, Kowloon Peninsula, and the New Territories. The name Hong Kong, literally meaning fragrant harbour, is derived from the area around present-day Aberdeen on Hong Kong Island, the narrow body of water separating Hong Kong Island and Kowloon Peninsula, Victoria Harbour, is one of the deepest natural maritime ports in the world. Hong Kong and its 260 territorial islands and peninsulas are located in the South China Sea, the Kowloon Peninsula to the south of Boundary Street and the New Territories to the north of Hong Kong Island were added to Colonial Hong Kong in 1860 and 1898 respectively. The landscape of Hong Kong is fairly hilly to mountainous with steep slopes, the highest point in the territory is Tai Mo Shan, at a height of 958 metres. Lowlands exist in the part of the New Territories. Hong Kong is 60 km east of Macau on the side of the Pearl River estuary. It has a border with Shenzhen to the north. The remaining land is reserved as country parks and nature reserves, Hong Kong is located in eastern Asia, on the southeast coast of the Peoples Republic of China, facing the South China Sea. Hong Kongs climate is subtropical and monsoonal with cool dry winters and hot, as of 2006, its annual average rainfall is 2,214 mm, though about 80% of the rain falls between May and September. It is occasionally affected by tropical cyclones between May and November, most often from July to September, the mean temperature of Hong Kong ranges from 16 °C in January and February to 28 °C in July and August. January and February are more cloudy, with cold fronts followed by dry northerly winds. It is not uncommon for temperatures to drop below 10 °C in urban areas, sub-zero temperatures and frost occur at times on high ground and in the New Territories. March and April can be pleasant although there are occasional spells of high humidity, fog and drizzle are common on high ground which is exposed to the southeast. May to August are hot and humid with occasional showers and thunderstorms, afternoon temperatures often exceed 31 °C whereas at night, temperatures generally remain around 26 °C with high humidity. In November and December there are pleasant breezes, plenty of sunshine, Hong Kongs terrain is hilly and mountainous with steep slopes. There are lowlands in the part of Hong Kong. A significant amount of land in Hong Kong, especially on the Hong Kong Island, the lowest elevation in Hong Kong is in South China Sea while the highest elevation is at Tai Mo Shan in Tsuen Wan, the New Territories. Despite its small size, Hong Kong has a large number of mineral occurrences
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History of Hong Kong
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Starting out as a fishing village and salt production site, Hong Kong later evolved into an important free port and eventually a major international financial centre. Archaeological findings suggesting human activity in Hong Kong date back over 30,000 years, Stone tools from the Old Stone Age have been excavated in Sai Kung in Wong Tei Tung. The stone tools found in Sai Kung were perhaps from a tool making ground. Religious carvings on outlying islands and coastal areas have also been found, the latest findings dating from the Paleolithic suggest that Wong Tei Tung is one of the most ancient settlements in Hong Kong. The territory that now comprises Hong Kong was incorporated into China during the Qin dynasty, during the Qin dynasty, the territory was governed by Panyu County until the time of the Jin dynasty. Archaeological evidence indicates that the population increased during the Han dynasty, Tai Po Hoi, the sea of Tai Po, was a major pearl hunting harbour in China from the Han dynasty through to the Ming dynasty, with activities peaking during the Southern Han. During the Jin dynasty until the early Tang dynasty, Hong Kong was governed by Baoan County, under the Tang dynasty, the Guangdong region flourished as an international trading centre. The Tuen Mun region in what is now Hong Kongs New Territories served as a port, naval base, salt production centre, Lantau Island was also a salt production centre, where riots by salt smugglers against the government broke out. From the middle of the Tang dynasty until the Ming dynasty, in 1276, during the Mongol invasion, the Southern Song dynasty court moved to Fujian, then to Lantau Island and later to todays Kowloon City. Emperor Huaizong of Song, the last Song Dynasty emperor, was enthroned at Mui Wo on Lantau Island on 10 May 1278 at the age of eight and this event is commemorated by the Sung Wong Toi in Kowloon. After his defeat at the Battle of Yamen on 19 March 1279, Tung Chung valley, named after a hero who gave up his life for the emperor, is believed to have been one of the locations for his court. Hau Wong, an official of the emperor, is worshipped in Hong Kong today. During the Mongol period, Hong Kong saw its first population boom as Chinese refugees entered the area, many refugees were driven by war and famine. The five clans of Hau, Tang, Pang and Liu and Man were Chinese from Guangdong, Fujian and Jiangxi who lived mostly in the New Territories, despite the immigration and sparse development of agriculture, the area was hilly and relatively barren. People had to rely on salt, pearl and fishery trades to produce income, some clans built walled villages to protect themselves from the threat of bandits, rival clans and wild animals. The Qing-dynasty Chinese pirate Cheung Po Tsai became a legend in Hong Kong, during the Ming dynasty, Hong Kong was administered by Xinan County. During the Qing dynasty, Hong Kong remained under the governance of Xinan County, as a military outpost and trading port, Hong Kongs territory gained the attention of the world. After the Great Clearance policy, ordered by the Kangxi Emperor, many Hakka people migrated from inland China to Xinan County, which included modern Hong Kong
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