By: Anthony Young Per.2

 Hong Kong is a bustling, modern and cosmopolitan city.  July 1, 1997 ◦ Hong Kong became a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China.  The island administers its own: ◦ Budget, currency and tax system. ◦ Enacts its own laws.

 There is a growing trend for dressing down at work.  It is still advisable to lean on the formal side. ◦ Business suits in deep blue or black are a safe bet for men. ◦ Women can have a wider choice of both styles and colors.

 Gift giving is an intricate and important practice.  If one receives a gift: ◦ He or she tries to give a gift in return.  Accept and give gifts with both hands.  Appreciated Gifts Include: ◦ Items from your home country, handicrafts, an illustrated book. ◦ Jazz CDs, assuming the recipient is interested in this genre.

 Hong Kong business people usually adopt a conservative approach and prefer to maintain the status quo.  It is therefore not advisable to be over-critical about government policies.  The most popular topics have to do with the general economic and business conditions.  The stock market, interest rate trends, inflation and labor market conditions are common topics at business and social functions.

 Climate: ◦ Subtropical monsoon; cool and humid in winter, hot and rainy from spring through summer, warm and sunny in fall.  Terrain: ◦ Hilly to mountainous with steep slopes; lowlands in north.  Current Issues: ◦ Air and water pollution from rapid urbanization.  Hazards: ◦ Occasional typhoons.

 Government Type: ◦ Limited democracy  Legal system based on English common law.  The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) ◦ Headed by Chief Executive Donald Tsang.  Hong Kong remains a free and open society where human rights are respected, courts are in.  Well-established respect for the rule of law, residents are limited in their ability to change their government.

 The socialist system and policies shall not be practiced in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and the previous capitalist system and way of life shall remain unchanged for 50 years.  The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall protect the right of private ownership of property in accordance with law.  Hong Kong residents shall have freedom of conscience.  Hong Kong residents shall have freedom of religious belief and freedom to preach and to conduct and participate in religious activities in public.

 Free import: for personal use only, for passengers of 18 years or older ◦ Holders of Hong Kong Identity Card must have spent 24 hours or longer outside Hong Kong. ◦ No limit for wine and liquor below 30% vol. ◦ 1 liter of alcoholic liquor above 30% vol. ◦ reasonable quantity of other items.

 Prohibited without license: ◦ narcotics, psychotropic drugs, game, meat, poultry, fireworks, and explosives. ◦ Endangered species, alive or stuffed. ◦ Antibiotic drugs except with doctor's prescription and the quantity is reasonable for personal use.