Financial Autonomy
After China's resumption of sovereignty, Hong Kong SAR ("Hong Kong") still enjoys total financial autonomy under the 'one country-two systems policy. This means that Hong Kong has its own currency, own monetary systems and a monetary authority that is distinct from mainland China. Hong Kong's sound financial system enjoys a high degree of freedom but is closely watched by the Government. As our Financial Secretary Mr. Donald Tsang stated, 'Hong Kong's financial systems have stood the test of the recent currency crisis and financial gales in Asia.

Being Part of China...
Business is as usual after the han dover of sovereignty. Hong Kong and China's economies are even more closely linked and in fact Hong Kong as China's international financial centre is benefitting from the strong economic growth in Mainland China, which is described by a recent World Bank report as 'the new engine house for world growth over the next quarter century. Hong Kong has superior infrastructure and needs even more Banking and Finance professionals to serve China's huge funding needs.

Financial Institutions
Hong Kong is ranked the 5th banking & financial centre in the world in terms of the volume of external banking transactions. There are 182 licensed banks and 157 foreign bank representative offices. There are a total of 525 banking institutions - 82 of the world's top 100 have offices in Hong Kong.

Continuous and Strong Growth
The market capitalisation of the Hong Kong stock market as of July 1997 exceeds HK$4,600 billion, the sixth largest in the world, surpassed only by Japan in Asia.

Employment Growth
The overall local vacancies in June 1997 increased by 13.8% from June 1996. The percentage change in the same period for financing, insurance, real estate and business services professionals rose by 33% in the same period. (Source: Hong Kong Government)