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Places in China: Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

Hong Kong has a free market economy that is working well for the special administrative region. Because of its central location in East Asia, Hong Kong is a natural place for business to become centred. It is a modern city but more than a city. It is a global business platform on the edge of Asia's largest country.

Hong Kong is located on the south side of China but has its own laws and regulations concerning business, trade and financial services. The city has quite modern air, sea and land transportation facilities to handle most types of commerce as well as tourism needs.

Off the coast of Guangdong Province, Hong Kong is not a part of Guangdong. It acts much as a province of the nation. Over six million residents of Hong Kong are crowded into 1062 square kilometres of land area. Some areas of Hong Kong seem crowded although there are a number of areas of fewer people such as beaches and parklands.

The city offers many entertainment venues including Ocean Park Amusement Centre, Disneyland and several activities at Victoria Peak.

Hong Kong is a tax-free port and a highly important shopping area for much of Southeast Asia. Foreign enterprises are encouraged to set up business in Hong Kong. Aftercare services are among the government's involvement in foreign business activity in the city. Several types of business plans are available within Hong Kong, from joint ventures with Chinese partners to setting up of branch offices of foreign companies or even sole proprietorships within the city.

Many stock investors in Hong Kong report higher-than-average income from their investments. Thus, foreign investors are encouraged to trust Hong Kong as an investment venue.

While engaged in business in Hong Kong, foreign business people can also become involved in doing business with mainland China. Such movement into the mainland is highly encouraged by the Chinese government.

It is best to be in contact with one's own embassy when being involved in any business in China, even in Hong Kong. Since laws and regulations change, one should be on the receiving end of any new legislation which could concern foreign investing.

Social responsibility while doing business in China should be considered of utmost importance. One should be aware of China's own environmental needs and be ready to cooperate with local authorities in meeting one's obligations as a businessman in China.

Hong Kong is a sub-tropical city. Thus, the weather tends to be mild in the winter months and hot and humid in the summer. Fog and typhoons often plague the city during their seasons of activity. The city tends to be a blend of eastern and western cultures, making it appealing to most people. From the most modern ideas in the world to rather primitive, third-world life styles, Hong Kong displays both sides of the life style picture. Since the city was a British colony for well over a century, many aspects of Hong Kong life reflect the British culture. Still, the city is composed of ninety-five percent Chinese. Thus, Chinese values and culture are quite common as well.

Hong Kong is more than a city. It is a large island, but in addition it is made up of Kowloon peninsula and over two hundred outlying islands. Some of Hong Kong's people live in the modern city and seldom go to the other smaller islands. Yet, there are people whose entire lives revolve around the simple island life, people who do not go to the big city much.