For more information, try these web sites:
Hong Kong Online
Kong DexArea: 1, 084 km2
Population: 6.19 million (1995)
Population Growth: 2.1% (1995)
Capital: Victoria
System of Government: A Special Administrative Region of China with an appointed legislature
Head of State: Jiang Zemin, President of China
Governor: Mr. Chris Patten
Key Government Ministers: Tung Chee-hwa, Chief Executive
Language: English and Cantonese
Literacy Rate: 90%
Ethnic Background: 98% Chinese
Religion: The majority of Hong Kong's population practices Buddhism or Taoism. 4% of the population practices Protestant Faiths, 4% practices Catholicism, 1% of the population is Muslim, and 0.2% is Hindu. (1992)
Currency: Hong Kong Dollar = 100 Cents
C $1.00 = HK $5.66 (average, week ending September 27, 1996)
Hints for doing business in Hong Kong...
- When you meet someone, shake their hand and call them by their title and last name.
- Be on time for appointments and introduce yourself to each person, starting with (of, course) the senior figures.
- Business cards are very important. Always give your card during the introductions. Cards that have Chinese writing on them will win you bonus points!
- No PHYSICAL CONTACT!! This means no hugging, patting on the back, kissing (get the idea) during introductions.
- Do not be too loud during meetings.
- Be friendly with the people you are doing business with.
- Business is done over dinner and lunch very often (bonus!) Try to go to any meeting you are invited to .
- If going to an office meeting it is cool to bring small presents (candy, etc). If you go to someone's home, bring fruit or chocolates. Hint: do not wrap presents in blue or white. These colours are linked to mourning.
Some of this information was taken from the Information Series published by the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada. It is available in print format.
asie@tgmag.ca