Hong Kong Orientation Guide

Language

People

Hong Kong’s official language is Cantonese, the Chinese dialect of Guangdong.The use of Mandarin (or Putonghua) China’s official dialect is increasingly on the rise inHong Kong in recentyears,howeverfornow,all street signs and notices’ are in both English and Chinese. The proficiency of English spoken by bus / taxi driver’s tradesmen, service men and security guards alike can vary in levels, learning a few Cantonese words can helpyougetaroundHongKong.Inthe meantime if you are having problems being understood search your mind for synonyms andusethem.Mostlocalslearnedtheir English from theEnglish,so try to think of the British equivalent, for example: ‘boot’ for car trunk, ‘petrol’ for gasoline, ‘lift’ for elevator. If all else fails, call a colleague or use the Hong KongTaxiTranslator app, which is veryhandy.

The totalpopulationofHongKongnowextends toover7.3millionpeople,withapproximately1.5 millionpeopleresidingonHongKongIslandandafurther2.1inKowloonandtheremainderinthe New Territories. Although there are more than 50 different nationalities living in Hong Kong, 94% of the population isethnicallyChinese,themajority of which ofHakkaandChiuChoworigins.Large numbers of Hong Kong Chinese residents also hold dual passport status with Canada, Australia, Britain or the U.S.,andtheymayormaynotspeakChinese.Theremaining5%ofthepopulation iscomposed of non-ethnic Chinese forming a highly visible group despite their smaller numbers. The main nationalities among the non-Chinese residents are Filipinos (150,000), Indonesians (150,000), Americans (60,000), British, French (est. 20,000), Canadians (300,000 many of them dual passport holders), Indians Thais, Japanese,Australians and Thais. Other major nationalities represented in Hong Kong are New Zealanders and Malays, plus smaller numbers of Sri Lankan and Pakistanis. It is the large international representation of different nationalities living together with the openness of society that makes Hong Kong such a surprisingly cosmopolitan community. From Alliance Française to the St. Andrew’s Society, the Japan Society to the India Club, there is a multitude of groups and associations that celebrate the various national days and provide business and social interaction.

Religion

Religion in Hong Kong enjoys a high degree of freedom, guaranteed by the Basic Law, which was signed in 1990 and went into effect in 1997.

90% of Hong Kong’s population practices a mix of local religions, most predominantly Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism.

TheChristiancommunityaccounts forabout9%ofthe totalpopulationand isnearlyequally divided between Catholics and Protestants, although other, smaller communities exist as well, such as Sikh, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, and Baha’i communities. Concerns over a lack of religious freedom after the 1997 handover have largely subsided.

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