Hong Kong: The ‘fragrant harbour’ of the Orient

Press, 28 October 1982, Page 28

Hong Kong: The ‘fragrant harbour’ of the Orient

Hong Kong, called by the Cantonese “Fragrant Harbour,” has been a British colony on the South-East coast of China’s Kwantung Province, since 1841. The colony includes Hong Kong Island, the ceded territory of Kowloon, the New Territories, and numerous islands — all with a population of about four million.

The colony contains a mixture, of the East and the West, the old and the new — combinations which have made it one of the most popular tourist attractions in the region.

The very significant growth in the rate of tourism however, is more than matched by that of industry and commerce. In 1981, Hong Kong’s total domestic exports increased 18 per cent to $NZ17,038.8 million, and re-exports (mainly from Taiwan and China) increased 39 per cent, to $NZ8787.2 million. The result is that Hong Kong has a rapidly rising standard of living which makes it one of the most attractive communities in Asia in which to live.

In 1997, the 99-year agreement under which Britain leases much of Hong Kong from China will expire. However, Hong Kong’s success as a free port through which China earns about 40 per cent of its foreign exchange is recognised by the leaders of the Communist Party in Peking.

The Chinese have made it clear that while they are not prepared to renew the lease in anything like its present form, they will attempt to negotiate a political arrangement that will ensure Hong Kong retains its standing throughout the world as a secure financial and commercial base.

RIGHT: A night-time view of Hong Kong from Victoria Peak. BELOW: Residents of Cheung Chau Island offer incense to the demon god Dai Shu Wong during the annual Bun Festival. CENTRE: A New Territories villager makes his way to the Tai Po market. MIDDLE RIGHT: Visitors enjoy a dinner cruise on a sampan at the Causeway Bay typhoon shelter.

BOTTOM LEFT: Modern shops flank the street-stalls in the “ladder” section of Pottinger Street, in the Central District of Hong Kong Island. BOTTOM RIGHT: The parade ring and saddling stalls at the Shatin racecourse in the New Territories.