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Politics & World • Asia

Hong Kong

Hong Kong is a special administrative region of the People's Republic of China located on the eastern side of the Pearl River estuary.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Hong Kong is a special administrative region of the People's Republic of China located on the eastern side of the Pearl River estuary. It consists of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, the New Territories, and more than 200 outlying islands, and is widely recognized as a major international financial and trading centre.

Geography

Hong Kong lies on the eastern side of the Pearl River Delta in southern China. Its territory is made up of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, the New Territories, and numerous outlying islands.

History

Hong Kong became a British colony in the 19th century and remained under British administration until 1997. On 1 July 1997, sovereignty was transferred to China and Hong Kong became a special administrative region.

Government and status

Hong Kong operates as a special administrative region under the Basic Law. It has a separate legal and administrative system from mainland China within the framework of Chinese sovereignty.

Economy

Hong Kong is internationally known as a financial, trade, and shipping hub. Sources describe it as one of the world's major financial centres and one of the most competitive cities globally.

Key facts

  • Hong Kong is one of China's two special administrative regions.
  • Its territory includes Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, the New Territories, and many outlying islands.
  • Hong Kong was a British colony from 1842 until 1997, when sovereignty returned to China.
  • It is a major global financial, shipping, and commercial centre.
  • The city is known for its dense urban environment and extensive transport infrastructure.
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Canadian context

Hong Kong is relevant to Canadian readers through trade, finance, immigration, and the large Hong Kong diaspora in Canada, especially in cities such as Vancouver and Toronto.

Frequently asked questions

What is Hong Kong?
Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China and a major international city on the Pearl River estuary.
When did Hong Kong return to China?
Hong Kong returned to Chinese sovereignty on 1 July 1997.
What areas make up Hong Kong?
Hong Kong includes Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, the New Territories, and many outlying islands.
Is Hong Kong a city or a region?
It is both a major city and a special administrative region within China.
What is Hong Kong known for?
It is known for finance, shipping, commerce, dense urban development, and extensive transport links.

References

  1. Wikipedia (Chinese) — https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-hans/%E9%A6%99%E6%B8%AF
    Supports: Basic identity as a special administrative region, location, and territory divisions.
  2. World Tourism Cities Federation — https://cn.wtcf.org.cn/csfc/csgk/csjs/2016063012660.html
    Supports: Area, population, geography, and urban description.
  3. Tsinghua University Hong Kong and Macau Research Centre — http://www.hmt.tsinghua.edu.cn/2013/0116/c6066a58137/page.htm
    Supports: Historical background, British colonial period, 1997 handover, and economic status.
  4. Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR — http://www.locpg.gov.cn/xggk/
    Supports: General overview, geography, colonial history, and financial centre description.
  5. Wikipedia (Traditional Chinese) — https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-hant/Portal:%E9%A6%99%E6%B8%AF/%E7%B0%A1%E4%BB%8B
    Supports: Population, division into 18 districts, and general civic/economic overview.