Along with Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan, Hong Kong's rapid industrialisation earned it a place as one of the four original East Asian "Tigers". Hong Kong is administered by the People's Republic of China under the policy of "one country, two systems". Under the present system Hong Kong is constitutionally entitled to a relatively high degree of autonomy. Among other rights it retains its own legal system, currency, customs, and treaty negotiating rights.
Administrative type | Special Administrative region |
Area | 1,103 km² - a little smaller than Fife |
Population (2006 est.) | 6.9 million - two fifths more than Scotland |
GDP (2005) - per capita | US $172.6 billion- slightly over Scotland's GDP US $25,000 - higher than Spain |
Exports Imports | US $286.3 billion US $291.6 billion |
Number of Universities (2003) Number of higher education graduates (2003) | 12 55,000 |
| Source: www.nationmaster.com | |
Scottish Links
Government Links
In January 2005 the Deputy First Minister of Scotland visited Hong Kong
Commercial Links
Brands and enterprises in Hong Kong with a Scottish heritage include:
Aberdeen International Fund Managers Aggreko Alexander Dennis (Far East) Limited Balfour Beattie Bank of Scotland Baxters Clyde Blowers Coats plc Edrington whiskies Gingers Highland Spring | Howden Burton Corblin Asia Iron Bru Jacobs Babtie Loch Fyne Seafoods Macsween Marks and Clerk Napier University Presentation Products Ltd Pringle (knitwear) Pinneys RMJM | Royal Bank of Scotland Scottish and Eastern Scottish Choice Scott Wilson Standard Life Asia Teknek Ltd The Alliance Trust Limited PLC Todd & Duncan Tunnocks Walkers (biscuits) William Grant & Son whiskies |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Educational/Science Links
Around 600 students from Hong Kong studied in Scotland's higher education institutions in 2004/05.
Napier University have around 1000 students studying a variety of undergraduate and postgraduate courses in partnership with Hong Kong University.
The University of Aberdeen have formal links with Hong Kong University.
The University of Edinburgh have very strong alumni links with Hong Kong.
Glasgow University have a memorandum of understanding with City University in Hong Kong and Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Glasgow Caledonian University have a franchise with Hong Kong Computer Institute.
Strathclyde University offers several courses in Hong Kong for the local market and several exchange agreements with Hong Kong Baptist University and Hong Kong Polytechnic.
The Robert Gordon University currently has around 70 students from Hong Kong at various stages of a Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy. The University also have 2 + 2 agreements with Hong Kong University (in Economics and in Accountancy, Finance and Law) and a student exchange agreement with the City University of Hong Kong.
There are several school links between Hong Kong and Edinburgh.
Cultural/Sports Links
Hong Kong has a thriving St Andrew's Society: www.standrewshk.org
The National Galleries of Scotland in partnership with the British Council hope to stage an exhibition in Hong Kong.
The National Museum of Scotland received a generous sponsorship from a Hong Kong business man which led to the opening of the Ivy Wu gallery.
The Executive is developing its database of Scottish links with each of China's regions. Do you know of any Sino-Scottish regional link that we have not included above or that is in need of updating? If so, please let us know by completing the regional links form.