Hong Kong
General Information for Hong Kong
Geo-political:
Nationality: (noun) Chinese/Hong Konger, (adjective) Chinese/Hong Kong.
Population: 7,055,071.
Communications:
International Direct Dial Code: 852.
Number of Internal Airports: 2.
Major Languages Spoken: Chinese (Cantonese) 89.2% (official), other Chinese dialects 6.4%, English 3.2% (official),
other 1.2% (2001 census).
Economy:
Currency: 1 Hong Kong Dollar (HKD) of 100 Cents.
Exchange Rates:
(as of April 2016)
USD 1.00 = HKD 7.76
HKD 1.00 = USD 0.13
Exchange rates under licence from
XE.com
Main Industries: Textiles, clothing, tourism, banking, shipping, electronics, plastics, toys, watches
and clocks.
Environment:
Territorial Sea: 3 n.m.
Coastline Extent: 733 km.
Climate: Subtropical monsoon; cool and humid in winter, hot and rainy from spring through summer,
warm and sunny in fall.
Natural Resources: Outstanding deepwater harbor and feldspar.
Natural Hazards: Occasional typhoons.
Terrain: Hilly to mountainous with steep slopes; lowlands in north.
Average Temperatures:
| Month | High | Low |
|---|---|---|
| January | 18° C | 13° C |
| June | 29° C | 24° C |
| September | 28° C | 24° C |
CHARTS:
Local hydrographic charts and Notice to Mariners published by the Hydrographic Office,
Marine Department. Details available at
MEDICAL:
You may undergo temperature screening at borders. Depending on the results, further
medical examinations may be required.
Make sure you have adequate health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost
of any medical treatment and repatriation. The cost of medical treatment in Hong Kong
is high.
If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, T: 999 and ask for an ambulance.
REGULATIONS:
Hong Kong law is based mainly on UK law. There are on the spot fines for littering
and spitting. There is zero tolerance for ticketless travel on the Mass Transit Railway
(MTR).
Do not become involved with illegal drugs of any kind. Possession of these drugs can
lead to imprisonment.
Do not take photographs of military installations. Since the 1997 handover (from the
UK to China), the defence of Hong Kong has been the responsibility of the People’s
Liberation Army (PLA). All previous British military barracks now belong to the PLA.
The Hong Kong SAR Government has restrictions in place on the quantity of powdered
baby formula allowed for persons departing the territory. Penalties for noncompliance
are severe.
HOLIDAYS:
Public holidays in Hong Kong occur mainly on festivals whose dates are governed by
the lunar calendar.
1 January; Chinese New Year's Day; second day of Chinese New Year; third day of Chinese
New Year; general holiday in lieu of that for the Ching Ming Festival; Good Friday;
Easter Monday; Ching Ming Festival; Labour Day; The Buddha's Birthday; Tuen Ng Festival;
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Establishment Day; day following Chinese Mid-Autumn
Festival Day; National Day; day following Chung Yeung Festival: 25 December; first
weekday after Christmas Day.
Note:
Ching Ming Festival and Good Friday are separate holidays. Occasionally they fall
on the same day. When this occurs a day in lieu is granted.
WEATHER/TIDES:
The typhoon season in Hong Kong normally runs from April to October. Typhoons sometimes
hit Hong Kong and may cause flooding and landslides. Local warnings are issued in
advance. Public offices shut down when the `Typhoon 8’ signal is hoisted. You should
monitor local and international weather updates from the World Meteorological Organisation
(
severe.worldweather.org ) and Hong Kong Observatory (
www.hko.gov.hk ).
CONSULS:
Embassy and consulate information available at
hk.embassyinformation.com
CUSTOMS:
For air, ocean and river cargoes, there is an Electronic System for Cargo Manifests
(EMAN) which enables carriers to submit cargo manifests electronically to the Customs
and Excise Department, the Census and Statistics Department and the Trade and Industry
Department in one go.
There is also a Sea Cargo Appointment website to enable consignees or their representatives
to make cargo examination appointment with Customs for detained sea cargoes.
Full Customs information and relevant forms available at
www.customs.gov.uk
SHORE LEAVE:
The level of violent crime is very low but pick pocketing and other street crime can
occur. You should take extra care of passports, credit cards and money in crowded
areas and when checking in and out of hotels. There have been some isolated incidents
of robberies in Hong Kong’s Country Parks; these incidents have been reduced following
a crime prevention operation by the Hong Kong Police.
Nevertheless, if you intend to hike in Hong Kong’s Country Parks you should stick
to marked trails and avoid carrying valuables.
Make sure anything you drink can’t be tampered with. Be wary of accepting drinks from
strangers and always have a trusted friend to keep an eye on any unfinished drink
if you need to leave it for a period of time.
Hong Kong is generally a stable society underpinned by the rule of law. Demonstrations
are becoming more frequent, but despite the substantial numbers, they are usually
conducted in a peaceful and orderly manner. You should take sensible precautions against
petty crime if you are nearby.
REPATRIATION:
Although Hong Kong is now part of the People’s Republic of China it remains a Special
Administrative Region with its own immigration controls. You can visit Hong Kong for
up to 6 months without a visa.
