Hong Kong became a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China after re-unification with the motherland on July 1, 1997. Under Beijing’s sanction, Hong Kong retains its economic, legal and social systems.

Asia’s world city does not have much natural resources except for its superb harbour. A hardworking, entrepreneurial and well-educated population of more than seven million people forms the bulwark of the SAR’s productivity and creativity.

Hong Kong is the world’s 10th largest trading economy, its sixth largest foreign exchange market, 10th largest banking centre and one of Asia’s top three stock markets. As at end March 2012, we had 1 510 listed companies with a combined market capitalisation of $19,775 billion (US$2,547 billion).