Hong Kong, described as a 'barren rock' over 150 years ago, is located in the Far East, 32km (20 miles) east of the mouth of Pearl River and 135km southeast of Canton, has become a world-class financial, trading and business city.
Hong Kong became a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People's Republic of China on July 1, 1997, after a century and a half of British administration. Furthermore, the SAR enjoys a high degree of autonomy except in defense and foreign affairs.
Hong Kong has no natural resources, except one of the finest deep-water ports in the world. A hardworking, adaptable and well-educated workforce of about 3.56 million, coupled with entrepreneurial flair, is the bedrock of Hong Kong's productivity and creativity.