hina); Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong;
Confederation of Trade Unions (pro-democracy) [LEE Cheuk-yan,
chairman]; Federation of Hong Kong Industries; Federation of Trade
Unions (pro-China) ; Hong Kong Alliance in
Support of the Patriotic Democratic Movement in China [Szeto WAH,
chairman]; Hong Kong and Kowloon Trade Union Council (pro-Taiwan);
Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce; Hong Kong Professional
Teachers' Union ; Liberal Democratic
Federation

International organization participation: APEC, AsDB, BIS, CCC, ESCAP
(associate), ICFTU, IMO (associate), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, ISO
(correspondent), WCL, WMO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in the US: none (special administrative
region of China)

Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Consul General Richard A. BOUCHER
consulate(s) general: 26 Garden Road, Hong Kong
mailing address: PSC 464, Box 30, FPO AP 96522-0002
telephone: 2523-9011
FAX: 2845-1598

Flag description: red with a stylized, white, five-petal bauhinia
flower in the center

@Hong Kong:Economy

Economy - overview: Hong Kong has a bustling free market economy
highly dependent on international trade. Natural resources are
limited, and food and raw materials must be imported. Indeed, imports
and exports, including reexports, each exceed GDP in dollar value.
Even before Hong Kong reverted to Chinese administration on 1 July
1997 it had extensive trade and investment ties with China. Per capita
GDP compares with the level in the four big countries of Western
Europe. GDP growth averaged a strong 5% in 1989-97. The widespread
Asian economic difficulties in 1998 hit this trade-dependent economy
quite hard, with GDP down 5%. The economy is recovering, with growth
of 1.8% in 1999 to be followed by projected growth of 3.7% in 2000.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $158.2 billion (1999 est.)

GDP - real growth rate: 1.8% (1999 est.)

GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $23,100 (1999 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 0.1%
industry: 14.7%
services: 85.2% (1997 est.)

Population below poverty line: NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices): -4% (1999 est.)

Labor force: 3.36 million (1998 est.)

Labor force - by occupation: wholesale and retail trade, restaurants,
and hotels 31.9%, social services 9.9%, manufacturing 9.2%, financing,
insurance, and re