Hong Kong

Overview

Hong Kong is a special administrative region of the People's Republic of China, established under the principle of "one country, two systems" following its handover from British to Chinese sovereignty on July 1, 1997. It maintains a high degree of autonomy in areas such as its legal system, currency, immigration controls, and economic policies, while foreign affairs and national defense are the responsibility of the central government in Beijing. With a population of approximately 7.5 million as of 2026, Hong Kong is one of the world's leading international financial centers, known for its free-market economy, deep-water port, and role as a gateway between mainland China and global markets.