Country fact file
- Capital city:Beijing
- Population: 7.4 million as of March 2024
- Government: Special Administrative Region of China
- Currency: Hong Kong dollar (HKD, HK$)
- Main languages: Chinese (Cantonese), English
- Main religions: Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Christianity
Country profile
Hong Kong is a city-state that consists of the Kowloon Peninsula and New Territories, which border the southern Chinese province of Guangdong, and several islands including Hong Kong Island and Lantau Island. A former British colony and protectorate, it was handed back to China in 1997 and is now governed as a partially-autonomous ‘Special Administrative Region’. Although the capitalist reputation of Hong Kong might seem incompatible with the principles of China’s communist leadership, the handover agreement guaranteed this ‘one country, two systems’ state until 2047.
Culture
Renowned as centre of commerce, Hong Kong is lively and cosmopolitan in character, with a healthy fusion of eastern and western culture. The majority of the population are ethnic Chinese, but the British influence is still very prominent, while a transient population of international business people help to redefine the cultural identity of Hong Kong.
Popular activities
Hong Kong’s modern architecture and neon skyline are perhaps its most distinctive features, but beneath the skyscrapers lies an equally vibrant entertainment scene. Pubs, bars and clubs cater for both Chinese and western tastes in nightlife, and there are over a hundred cinemas showing the latest Hong Kong and international movie releases. Despite its urban reputation, Hong Kong has large areas of public parkland where regular sports and outdoor activities take place, and its museums and arts venues are also well known. For more information, visit the Hong Kong Tourism Board website.
Food and drink
With the largely Chinese population, much of the everyday food in Hong Kong is Cantonese in origin. Fishing is plentiful in the region and locally-sourced seafood features heavily on menus. Hong Kong’s fashionable dining scene boasts over 12,000 eateries with a large number of Michelin-starred restaurants, including branches of brands from top western chefs alongside the best of Asian cuisine. Perhaps surprisingly given its Chinese and British influences, Hong Kong has a unique tea culture all of its own, with Hong Kong-style milk tea a famous speciality.
Languages
Hong Kong has two official languages: Standard Chinese (as spoken in mainland China) and English (due to the colonial heritage). However, the dialect of Chinese commonly spoken on the mainland is based on Mandarin, whereas the majority of Chinese speakers in Hong Kong actually use the Cantonese dialect. As such, Cantonese is considered the de facto language of Hong Kong.
Weather
Hong Kong has a generally temperate subtropical climate with four distinct seasons. The temperature range is usually between 15°C (59°F) and 35°C (95°F), although winter temperatures do drop lower at higher altitudes. Hong Kong is affected by both cool northeast monsoons and warm maritime airstreams, and can experience cyclones and tropical storms in summer months. Most of the rainfall occurs between May and September, which are regarded as the region’s rainy season.
Safety and security
Hong Kong is considered a safe place to live and work, with low levels of violent crime and fairly low levels of petty crime. The police in Hong Kong are highly visible and patrols will regularly check identity cards. This might sound threatening, but they also have a reputation for being polite and efficient, which helps the community feel extremely safe. However, visitors should still be aware of thieves and pickpockets, as well as scams involving fake goods or currency exchanges. For more information on crime prevention, visit the Hong Kong Police Force website.
Occasional extreme weather conditions may pose a risk to public safety. Typhoons and cyclones are monitored by the Hong Kong Observatory and public safety guidance is issued regularly, so make sure you are familiar with the emergency processes and follow the advice you are given.
System structure
In the past the Hong Kong schooling system was modelled on UK education. However, since the handover to Chinese governance in 1997, a number of reforms have taken place to move the education system closer to that of mainland China. At the age of six, students begin nine years of compulsory education – six years at primary school and three at junior secondary school. It is also becoming increasingly normal for children to continue for at least another three years in senior secondary school and perhaps continue to university or enter vocational training.
Academic year
In Hong Kong most primary and secondary schools operate a three-term academic year that runs from late August through to June. Universities usually run two terms from September through to May, although depending on the course type some students may not finish until July.
Higher education
There are currently 18 degree-awarding institutions in Hong Kong, including some of the top-ranked universities in Asia. Eight are publicly funded through the University Grants Committee (UGC), while others are privately or independently financed. Although the majority of university students in Hong Kong currently come from mainland China, there is a growing international student community there too. Applications for university are administered by the Joint University Programmes Admissions System (JUPAS). Most institutions are oversubscribed and competition for places is high, but unsuccessful applicants have the alternative to enter vocational training.
Funding
Despite the relatively substantial public funding on offer, universities in Hong Kong do charge tuition fees. These vary between different intuitions and course types, and international students often pay significantly more than Chinese students. Scholarships may be available to help students pay for their studies, while the Student Financial Assistance Agency provides a range of financing options too.
Courses
The recent educational reforms have made a major change to university courses in Hong Kong. Where previously undergraduate students studied for three years, most now remain for four. Institutions offer a full range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses. English is the main language of tuition, although most establishments also offer taught courses in Chinese and will provide language tuition to those who need it.
Research
As in mainland China, research is a growing area in Hong Kong and carries considerable prestige. There are a number of public and private research funds available through the government and the UGC, and universities are increasingly trying to attract corporate funding to help raise research standards even further.
Primary and secondary education
Since the education reforms, Hong Kong’s state primary and secondary schools have followed a new curriculum with the aim of improving standards and adjusting the system to be more in line with that of the rest of China. The curriculum content is broad and is mostly taught in Chinese. However, large numbers of private and international schools remain and they primarily teach in English. Expats often choose to send their children to these schools to study specific qualifications such as British GCSEs or A-Levels, American Advanced Placements (APs) or the International Baccalaureate (IB). Private and international schools are usually fee-paying, although some employers may subsidise education for the children of staff members.
Preschool and childcare options
Although not compulsory, children in Hong Kong may attend kindergarten for up to three years before starting school. Early-years education is regarded as high priority and there are various schemes in place to help parents to cover the cost, including the Pre-primary Education Voucher Scheme, which can be accessed by foreign nationals with right of abode in Hong Kong.
Working hours
The working week in Hong Kong is from Monday to Saturday, although many companies work half days on Saturday. With no legislation to restrict the working time for most employees, long hours are typically expected. However, workers aged 15 to 18 are limited to a maximum of 48 hours a week, and the Standard Working Hours Committee is currently reviewing the implications of capping working hours for adults too.
Holidays
In Hong Kong, employees on a long-term or permanent contract are entitled to annual leave after completing 12 months of continuous service. Leave entitlement runs on a progressive scale from a minimum of 7 days to a maximum of 14 days depending on length of service. Sick leave and maternity leave may also be paid, although pay durations may be limited.
Public holidays
There are two types of public holiday in Hong Kong: statutory and general. The Employment Ordinance states that all permanent contract workers are entitled to paid leave on the 12 statutory holidays. If employers require staff to work on these days, they must give notice of at least 48 hours and a day off in lieu. General holidays include the 12 statutory holidays, an additional five holiday dates and every Sunday.
Statutory holiday dates
- The first day of January – 1st January
- Lunar New Year’s Day – 10th February
- The second day of Lunar New Year – 11th February
- The third day of Lunar New Year – 12th February
- Ching Ming Festival – 4th April
- Good Friday – 29th March
- Easter Monday – 1st April
- Labour Day – 1st May
- Birthday of the Buddha – 15th May
- Tuen Ng Festival – 10th June
- Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Establishment Day – 1 July
- The day following the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival – 18th September
- National Day – 1st October
- Chung Yeung Festival – 11th October
- Christmas Day – 25th December
- The first weekday after Christmas Day – 26th December
Visas and eligibility to work
Hong Kong is a bustling commercial hub and large numbers of people make short business trips there on a regular basis. To encourage international trade, the immigration regulations for short visits are more accommodating than in mainland China. People of many nationalities may be granted a visa-free visiting period of between 7 and 180 days. Business activities including negotiations, conferences and contract signing are usually allowed within this period, but if you intend to take employment or remain in Hong Kong for a longer period, you will need to apply for a visa. For working visas, you may require your employer’s sponsorship.
Once you arrive in Hong Kong, you will need to apply for a Hong Kong identity card. This card is mandatory and must be carried at all times by anyone aged 11 and older. The type of card issued will depend on your visa type and residency status. For the most up-to-date information on immigration laws in Hong Kong, visit the Immigration Department website.
Tax
Foreign nationals working in Hong Kong are liable for salaries tax the same as permanent residents, although taxes are comparatively low and various allowances mean that not all of your income will be taxed. Unlike many countries, tax is not taken directly from workers’ wages. Instead, employees are provisionally taxed based on their previous year’s salary, and must file a tax return to correct the figures. Visit GovHK or the Inland Revenue Department website for more details.
Pensions
Employees and self-employed workers in Hong Kong are required to contribute at least 5% of their total earnings, including salary, holiday pay, commission, fees, bonuses, gratuities and allowances (excluding housing) to the Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF). If you are a member of a retirement scheme in your home country, or if your visa for Hong Kong runs for less than 13 months, you will be exempt from joining an MPF scheme. If you later extend your visa and remain in Hong Kong for over 13 months, then you must enrol.
Benefits
Social security benefits in Hong Kong are controlled by the Social Welfare Department. Most schemes are not accessible to foreign nationals in the short-term, but are worth understanding if you reside in Hong Kong on a long-term or permanent basis.
Disability
The rights of disabled workers in Hong Kong are protected under the Disability Discrimination Ordinance (DDO). For more information on the law as it relates to a specific disability, visit the Equal Opportunities Commission website.
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