Hong Kong

American  

[hong kong] / ˈhɒŋ ˈkɒŋ /

Or Hongkong

noun

1. a special administrative region of China, formerly a British colony, comprising Hong Kong Island (29 sq. mi.; 75 sq. km), the southern part of Kowloon peninsula, nearby islands, and the New Territories in adjacent mainland southeast China: reverted to Chinese sovereignty in 1997. 427 sq. mi. (1,106 sq. km).

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Hong Kong British  

/ ˌhɒŋ ˈkɒŋ /

noun

1. a Special Administrative Region of China, in the south of the country, with some autonomy; formerly a British Crown Colony: consists of Hong Kong Island, leased by China to Britain from 1842 until 1997, Kowloon Peninsula, Stonecutters Island, the New Territories (mainland), leased by China in 1898 for a 99-year period, and over 230 small islands; important entrepôt trade and manufacturing centre, esp for textiles and other consumer goods; university (1912). It retains its own currency, the Hong Kong dollar. Administrative centre: Victoria. Pop: 7 182 724 (2013 est). Area: 1046 sq km (404 sq miles)

2. an island in Hong Kong region, south of Kowloon Peninsula: contains the capital, Victoria. Pop: 1 337 800 (2001). Area: 75 sq km (29 sq miles)

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Hong Kong Cultural  

1. Now a special administrative region of China; formerly a British colony, located on the south coast of China on the South China Sea, part of the Pacific Ocean.

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Discover More

One of the world's leading commercial centers, Hong Kong is home to many international corporate offices and a world-famous tailoring industry. China has given assurances that it will maintain Hong Kong's capitalistic (see capitalism) and democratic (see democracy) institutions.

China ceded the island of Hong Kong to Britain in the nineteenth century. Hong Kong was returned to Chinese rule in 1997, when Britain's lease expired.

Other Word Forms

• Hong Konger noun
• Hongkongite noun

Etymology

Origin of Hong Kong

First recorded in 1840–45; possibly from Chinese (Guangdong dialect) Hēung Góng “Fragrant Harbor, Incense Harbor” (the two syllables do not rhyme in Guangdong dialect)

Example Sentences

On Sunday, thousands of people had gathered outside the charred buildings in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district to lay flowers and leave mementos and messages such as “rest in peace” and “Hong Kong be strong.”

From The Wall Street Journal

The Hong Kong insurer’s core growth engines are likely to stem from its China expansion, given that new business value from new Chinese regions doubled on year in 3Q, he says in a note.

From The Wall Street Journal

Indonesia's consulate in Hong Kong said at least seven of its nationals had died from the fire, while the Philippines' consulate said one of its citizens had.

From BBC

More than 1,000 people from across the Chinese city flocked to the housing complex in Hong Kong's northern Tai Po district to pay respects on Sunday, forming huge queues, an AFP reporter saw.

From Barron's

"We need to be frank about how today's Hong Kong is riddled with holes, inside and out."

From Barron's