Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party, Martin LEE, chairman;
Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong, TSANG Yuk-shing,
chairman; Hong Kong Democratic Foundation, Dr. Patrick SHIU Kin-ying,
chairman
note: in April 1994, the United Democrats of Hong Kong (UDHK) and
Meeting Point merged to form the Democratic Party; the merger became
effective in October 1994
Other political or pressure groups: Liberal Party, Allen LEE,
chairman; Association for Democracy and People's Livelihood (ADPL),
Frederick FUNG Kin Kee, chairman; Liberal Democratic Federation, HU
Fa-kuang, chairman; Federation of Trade Unions (pro-China), LEE
Chark-tim, president; Hong Kong and Kowloon Trade Union Council
(pro-Taiwan); Confederation of Trade Unions (pro-democracy), LAU
Chin-shek, chairman; Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce; Chinese
General Chamber of Commerce (pro-China); Federation of Hong Kong
Industries; Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong; Hong Kong
Professional Teachers' Union, CHEUNG Man-kwong, president; Hong Kong
Alliance in Support of the Patriotic Democratic Movement in China,
Szeto WAH, chairman
Member of: APEC, AsDB, CCC, ESCAP (associate), GATT, ICFTU, IMO
(associate), INTERPOL (subbureau), IOC, ISO (correspondent), WCL, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US: none (dependent territory of the UK)
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Consul General Richard W. MUELLER consulate(s) general: 26 Garden Road, Hong Kong mailing address: PSC 464, Box 30, Hong Kong, or FPO AP 96522-0002 telephone: [852] 523-9011 FAX: [852] 845-4845
Flag: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant with the Hong Kong coat of arms on a white disk centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms contains a shield (bearing two junks below a crown) held by a lion (representing the UK) and a dragon (representing China) with another lion above the shield and a banner bearing the words HONG KONG below the shield
@Hong Kong:Economy
Overview: Hong Kong has a bustling free market economy with few tariffs or nontariff barriers. Natural resources are limited, and food and raw materials must be imported. Manufacturing accounts for about 17% of GDP. Goods and services exports account for about 50% of GDP. Real GDP growth averaged a remarkable 8% in 1987-88, slowed to 3.0% in 1989-90, and picked up to 4.2% in 1991, 5.0% in 1992, 5.2% in 1993, and 5.5% in 1994. Unemployment, which has been declining since the mid-1980s, is now about 2%. A shortage of labor continues to put upward pressure on prices and the cost of living. Prospects for 1995-96 remain bright so long as major trading partners continue to be reasonably prosperous and so long as investors feel China will support free market practices after the takeover in 1997.
National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $136.1 billion (1994 est.)
National product real growth rate: 5.5% (1994 est.)