Hong Kong–United States relations

Hong Kong – United States relations

Hong Kong
United States
Diplomatic Mission
Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Washington, D.C. United States Consulate General, Hong Kong

Hong Kong–United States relations are bilateral relations between Hong Kong and the United States.

According to the 2012 U.S. Global Leadership Report, 44% of Hong Kong people approve of U.S. leadership, with 38% disapproving and 18% uncertain.[1]

Comparison

Hong Kong Hong Kong United States United States
Populations 7,234,800 319,435,700
Area 1,104 km² (426 sq mi) 9,857,306 km² (3,805,927 sq mi)
Population density 6,544/km² (17,024/sq mi) 34.2/km² (88.2/sq mi)
Capital - Washington
Largest city Yau Tsim Mong (Largest district) New York City
Government Multi-party system Federal, Presidential, Constitutional Republic
Current leader Chief Executive CY Leung President Barack Obama
Official languages Chinese, English No official language at Federal level (English and Spanish are the most commonly spoken languages). Laws are enacted in English and the government operates in English.
Main religions Buddhism 21.3%, Taoism 14.2%, Christianity 11.8% Christianity 78.5%, Non-Religious 19.8%, Judaism 1.7%,
GDP (nominal) $310.074 billion ($42,437 per capita) $16.768 Trillion ($53,001 per capita)
GDP (PPP) $412.300 billion ($56,428 per capita) $16.768 Trillion ($53,001 per capita)
Military expenditures $188.0 billion (Mainland China's) $664.84 billion (2011)[2][3]

History

U.S. policy toward Hong Kong, grounded in a determination to promote Hong Kong's prosperity, autonomy, and way of life, is stated in the U.S.-Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992, which stipulated that the U.S. would continue to treat Hong Kong apart from the People's Republic of China even after the 1997 transfer of sovereignty marking the end of British rule. The United States maintains substantial economic and political interests in Hong Kong. The United States supports Hong Kong's autonomy by concluding and implementing bilateral agreements; promoting trade and investment; arranging high-level visits; broadening law enforcement cooperation; bolstering educational, academic, and cultural links; and supporting the large community of U.S. citizens and visitors.

Hong Kong is an active member of the global coalition against terrorism, and has joined the Container Security Initiative and remains an important partner with regard to eliminating funding for terrorist networks and combating money laundering. Hong Kong has passed legislation designed to bring it into compliance with applicable UN anti-terror resolutions and Financial Action Task Force recommendations.

Hong Kong is No. 1 export destination for American turtles.[4]

The United States has substantial economic and social ties with Hong Kong. There are some 1,100 U.S. firms, including 881 regional operations (298 regional headquarters and 593 regional offices), and about 54,000 American citizens in Hong Kong. According to U.S. Government statistics, U.S. exports to Hong Kong totaled $17.8 billion in 2006. U.S. direct investment in Hong Kong at the end of 2006 totaled about $38.1 billion, making the United States one of Hong Kong's largest investors, along with China, Japan, and the Netherlands.

Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Washington, D.C.

The United States and Hong Kong signed a civil aviation agreement in October 2002, which significantly liberalised the aviation market. Hong Kong enjoys a high degree of autonomy as a separate customs territory, with no changes to borders, staffing, or technology export controls since the 1997 handover. Intellectual property rights (IPR) protection has improved substantially in recent years and the introduction of effective new legislation to control illicit production and improved enforcement has now made Hong Kong a regional model for effective IPR protection. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and other U.S. agencies now regularly cite Hong Kong as an example for others.

The Hong Kong government maintains Economic and Trade Offices in Washington, D.C., New York City, and San Francisco.

The United States Consulate General Hong Kong is located at 26 Garden Road, Hong Kong.

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ U.S. Global Leadership Project Report - 2012 Gallup
  2. ↑ Updated Summary Tables, Budget of the United States Government Fiscal Year 2010 (Table S.12) Archived July 25, 2010, at the Wayback Machine.
  3. ↑ "Department of Defense" (PDF). Retrieved February 26, 2014.
  4. ↑ Declared Turtle Trade From the United States: Destinations (data for 2002-2005)

References

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