| Hong Kong is a bilingual city with two official languages: English and Chinese. In these few years, Putonghua becomes much popular and common in Hong Kong. |
| - |
Hong Kong has an industrious workforce of about 3.5 million. |
| - |
Hong Kong welcomes the skilled and talented. There are many career opportunities in a variety of professions. |
| - |
There is rarely industrial trouble in Hong Kong. |
|
|
School Education
9-year Free Education is offered in Free and universal basic education is provided for children aged six to 15 to enjoy six years of primary education plus three years of basic secondary education. Admission to Primary 1 in aided and government schools is through a centralised system, and at the end of Primary 6 all students are provided with secondary school places. Most secondary schools offer three-year basic and two-year senior secondary courses leading to the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination (HKCEE) as well as a two-year sixth-form matriculation course leading to the Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination. HKCEE candidates apply for subsidised Secondary 6 places according to an established Secondary 6 admission procedure. |
| |
|
Higher Education
Degrees up to doctorate level awarded locally are widely recognised by institutions of higher learning around the world. Academic standards are guaranteed by the institutions' appointment of external examiners from prominent overseas universities and colleges and the monitoring of teaching and learning quality assurance processes by the UGC. The Hong Kong Council for Academic Accreditation validates courses and programmes offered by the Hong Kong Institute of Education and some other non-UGC-funded institutions that are not self-accrediting.
Hong Kong has 11 degree-awarding higher education institutions, eight of which are funded through the UGC. Seven of the eight are universities which are The University of Hong Kong , The Chinese University of Hong Kong, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, City University of Hong Kong, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong Baptist University and Lingnan University, the remaining one is a teacher education institution (The Hong Kong Institute of Education). Three other degree-awarding tertiary institutions are not funded by the UGC. They are the publicly funded Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, the self-financing Open University of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Shue Yan College.
|
The legal system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) is firmly based on the rule of law and the independence of the Judiciary. Under the principle of 'one country, two systems', the HKSAR's legal system is different from that of the Mainland, and is based on the common law.
The first five years after the resumption demonstrated that Hong Kong's reunification with China was achieved smoothly, and that the legal system, the rule of law, human rights, and the independence of the Judiciary have been fully maintained and protected.
|
The Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) Scheme and the Social Security Allowance (SSA) Scheme form the mainstay of Hong Kong's social security system. They are supplemented by three accident compensation schemes: the Criminal and Law Enforcement Injuries Compensation (CLEIC) Scheme, the Traffic Accident Victims Assistance (TAVA) Scheme and Emergency Relief.
|
Religious freedom is one of the fundamental rights enjoyed by Hong Kong residents. It is protected by the Basic Law and the relevant legislation. The various religious traditions practised in Hong Kong embrace, among others, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism and Judaism. All of these traditions have a considerable number of adherents. Apart from offering religious instruction, many major religious bodies have established schools and provide health and welfare facilities.
Buddhism and Taoism have large numbers of adherents in Hong Kong. These adherents worship according to their individual purposes at temples and shrines spread throughout the HKSAR. Some of the temples are old while others are quite new, and built in the style of traditional Chinese architecture.
|
With its strategic location at the doorway to the Mainland and on the international time zone that bridges the time gap between Asia and Europe, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) has been serving as a global centre for trade, finance, business and communications. Hong Kong is now ranked the 10th largest trading entity in the world. It operates the busiest container port in the world in terms of throughput, as well as one of the busiest airports in terms of number of passengers and volume of international cargo handled. In addition, it is the world's 12th largest banking centre in terms of external banking transactions, and the seventh largest foreign exchange market in terms of turnover. Its stock market is Asia's third largest in terms of market capitalisation.
Hong Kong is characterised by a high degree of internationalisation, business-friendly environment, rule of law, free trade and free flow of information, open and fair competition, well-established and comprehensive financial network, superb network of transport and communications infrastructure, sophisticated support services, and a well-educated workforce complemented by a pool of efficient entrepreneurs. Added to these is the substantial amount of fiscal reserves and foreign exchange reserves, a fully convertible and stable currency, and a simple tax system with a low tax rate. On these virtues, Hong Kong is widely regarded as amongst the freest and most competitive economies in the world. The US Heritage Foundation ranks Hong Kong as the world's freest economy for the ninth year in a row in 2003. The Fraser Institute in Canada and the Cato Institute in the United States, in conjunction with a network of independent research institutes in 54 other countries, also consistently rank Hong Kong as the world's freest economy. The World Economic Forum, based in Switzerland, ranks Hong Kong as the fourth most competitive economy in Asia and the 17th in the world.
|
Hong Kong's climate is sub-tropical, tending towards the temperate for nearly half the year. November and December are generally regarded as the best months of the year with pleasant breezes, plenty of sunshine and comfortable temperatures.
January and February are cloudier, with occasional cold fronts bringing in cold northerly winds. Temperatures can drop below 10 degrees Celsius in urban areas. Sub-zero temperatures and frost occur on high ground and in the New Territories infrequently.
March and April can be mild and pleasant but humid. Fog and drizzle sometimes disrupt air traffic and ferry services because of reduced visibility.
The months from May to August are hot and humid with occasional showers and thunderstorms, particularly in the morning. Afternoon temperatures often exceed 31 degrees, but at night temperatures generally stay around 26 degrees.
Hong Kong is most likely to be affected by tropical cyclones in September, although tropical cyclones of varying strength are not unusual at any time between May and November.
|
| Rail, bus, ferry and other public transport services offer Hong Kong commuters a good choice of different transport modes at reasonable fares and different levels of comfort, speed and convenience. |
Hong Kong's tax system is simple and Tax rates are low :
| |
|
| In 2002 - 03 : |
|
| Salaries tax |
- 15 per cent maximum |
| Profits tax |
- 16 per cent for corporations |
| |
- 15 per cent for unincorporated businesses |
| |
|
| In 2003 - 04 : |
|
| Salaries tax |
- 15.5 per cent maximum |
| Profits tax |
- 17.5 per cent for corporations |
| |
- 15.5 per cent for unincorporated businesses |
|
|
