Location: |
Hong Kong is located on the southeast coast of China, consists of Hong Kong Island, the Kowloon Peninsula, the New Territories and about 262 offshore islands of which the largest is Lantau Island. The Victoria Harbour between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon Peninsula is the world famous deep natural harbour. |
Area: |
Approx. 1,106 sq km |
Population: |
Approx. over 7 million |
Language: |
Cantonese, English |
Currency: |
Hong Kong Dollar (HKD) |
Climate: |
Hong Kong has a humid subtropical climate. The temperature in winter can drop below 10℃, while the temperature in summer can reach 31℃ or above. The most temperate seasons are spring and autumn. Winter is mild and dry with occasional strong and cold winds. Summer is hot and humid with occasional showers and thunderstorms. |
Education System: |
Hong Kong’s public schools are operated by the Education Bureau. The system features a non-compulsory 3-year kindergarten, followed by a compulsory 6-year primary education, a compulsory 3-year junior and 3-year senior secondary education, leading to the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education. The government maintains a policy of “mother tongue instruction” in which the medium of instruction is Cantonese, with written Chinese and English, while some of the schools are using English as the teaching language. The universities in Hong Kong have a high ranking in the world. In 2012, the University of Hong Kong ranked 23, continued to be the best university in Asia, while the University of Science and Technology ranked 33 and the Chinese University ranked 40. |
Tax System: |
Taxes collected in Hong Kong can be generally classified as direct tax and indirect tax. Direct tax includes property tax, profits tax and salaries tax. Indirect tax includes stamp duty, betting duty, business registration, hotel accommodation tax, etc. Only profits sourced in Hong Kong is taxable. |
Welfare: |
Hong Kong residents can enjoy the welfare benefits for child, youth and elderly, public housing and public health. |