Located in the eastern side of the Pearl River Delta, Hong Kong is one of the two special administrative regions of the People’s Republic of China. Beginning as a trading port in the 19th century, Hong Kong has developed into a leading financial centre. Hong Kong was a crown colony of the United Kingdom from 1842 until the transfer of its sovereignty to China in 1997. Under the policy of “one country, two systems”, the Central People’s Government is responsible for the territory’s defense and foreign affairs, while Hong Kong maintains its own legal system, police force, monetary system, customs policy, immigration policy, and delegates to international organizations and events (Wikipedia).
Hong Kong maintains a highly capitalist economy built on a policy of free market, low taxation and government non-intervention. It is an important centre for international finance and trade, with the greatest concentration of corporate headquarters in the Asia-Pacific region. In terms of gross domestic product per capita and gross metropolitan product, Hong Kong is the wealthiest urban centre in the People's Republic of China. The GDP (PPP) per capita of Hong Kong exceeds the four big economies in Western Europe (UK, France, Germany, Italy), as well as Japan (Wikipedia).
Major attractions of Hong Kong include the Peak, Ocean Park, Temple Street Night Market, Avenue of Starts, Lan Kwai Fong and Soho. The class will spend four days in Hong Kong visiting businesses, universities, and cultural sites during the trip.
