Working at the Hong Kong Tourism Board - 2 Reviews

If you're considering working at the Hong Kong Tourism Board, you should know that you can expect to work between 5-7 days per month. This number will vary depending on the number of conventions and exhibitions that take place in Hong Kong. The management is generally good, but the arrangement of staff might need improvement.

Review of Arcadis

In March 2013, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) selected Arcadis as its global contracting partner for the construction of its new convention center. This was the company's first facility outside of the United States. Despite the positive news, there were some concerns. While the project was successful, the firm has faced criticism for its work practices.

While I don't wish to bash the company, I have to mention its great reputation as a partner with over 28,000 employees in over 70 countries. The company's BIM 360 platform was easy to use and intuitive. The company has reported gross revenues of EUR3. 5 billion. This means that demand is strong. Arcadis is a Dutch-based firm and relies on its established relationships to secure clients' projects. It's not a company for everyone.

Arcadis is a global design and consulting firm that provides services for natural and built assets. The company's operating EBITA margin declined to 7.2% in Q1, mainly because of a drop in business in Asia. However, Arcadis has taken several measures to ensure the sustainability of its business in Asia.

Arcadis has a global reputation as a leading design and consulting firm. They also have a reputation for being an engaged employer. Their clients have praised the company for its innovative design and management practices. Arcadis is a great place to work for those who value their careers and are interested in a career in architecture and engineering.

Arcadis has a global presence with over 350 offices in over 40 countries. It also has regional offices in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Qatar, and Bahrain. They employ around 28,000 people worldwide and have 2,200 in the Middle East. This global company has a strong sense of community and a strong sense of company spirit. Employees are encouraged to give feedback about the management and the company culture.

Arcadis Engenharia is an engineering firm that invests in its colaborators' development and has excellent remuneration. Its employees are known for their strong values and commitment to quality work. The firm also values sustainability and collaboration with clients. Its people are renowned for their strong values, which make it a great place to work.

Arcadis has 55 reviews on Glassdoor. These employee-written reviews describe the culture, management, benefits, and work-life balance of Arcadis for Hong Kong Tourism Board. Arcadis employees also share their opinions on job security, work-life balance, and job security.

Arcadis is currently engaged in several projects in Asia. It is also active in China's water and environmental markets. Recently, it won a contract with Henderson Land Development Company for the new Central Harbourfront development. The firm will be providing cost management and commercial management services for the new site.

Review of Hong Kong Tourism Board

The Hong Kong Tourism Board is a government-subvented body with the task of marketing Hong Kong as a travel destination around the world and enhancing the visitor experience in Hong Kong. The organization is made up of different departments and branches and works in tandem with the travel industry to improve visitor facilities and service standards. The Board also works with local and international media to raise awareness of Hong Kong and promote the city as a destination of choice.

The government-subvented board has received mixed reviews, with critics calling for a thorough audit to be conducted. One of the concerns raised by critics is that Hong Kong Tourism Board executives aren't making the right decisions for the city's tourism industry. Fortunately, there are several ways to improve the Hong Kong Tourism Board's operations. First, the agency needs to revamp its board membership. Its current membership is only composed of eight people over the age of 35. Moreover, no young people are among the board's non-official members.

To boost tourism in Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Tourism Board holds annual tourism updates. During the event, the board discusses current tourism trends and updates its strategic plans. The event brings together more than 2,700 trade representatives from various sectors, including hotels, travel agencies, airlines, retailers, restaurants, meeting and exhibition operators, cruise lines, and media. The Board also hopes to relaunch mega-events to promote tourism in Hong Kong.

The Hong Kong Tourism Board has also set up a unique volunteer program called 'Hong Kong Pals', which offers the services of local residents. This programme was introduced in 2009 and aims to provide tourists with authentic Hong Kong experiences. Through this scheme, local residents provide tourist advice and information.

Hong Kong Tourism Board Reviews - Glassdoor

Hong Kong Tourism Board Reviews - Glassdoor is a unique resource for employees looking to give and receive feedback from their employers. It provides an in-depth look into the Hong Kong Tourism Board, based on self-reported data from employees. The site also includes data sourced from public sources, such as the BLS, company filings, H1B filings, and other publicly available sources.

Employee reviews

The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) is a government-subvented body tasked with marketing Hong Kong as a travel destination and improving the visitor experience. Its management and structure are designed to promote the city as an international travel destination while upholding the highest standards of service quality. It encourages trade and other businesses to use best practices and adopt sound business practices.

Company mission

The Hong Kong Tourism Board is a government-subvented body tasked with marketing and improving the travel experience in Hong Kong. The board's structure and management are designed to improve the service quality of the tourism industry and to promote the city as a premier international travel destination. The board is an advocate for good trade practices.

Employee benefits

The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) provides several employee benefits to its employees. The benefits are not limited to health care and retirement benefits, but they also cover other benefits. These benefits are available to both full-time and part-time employees, and are based on a set amount of annual base salary. In addition, full-time employees also receive group hospital care and outpatient care.

The HKTB is a government-subvented body that works closely with the travel industry and government to improve the visitor experience. Its mission is to promote Hong Kong as a premier international destination and improve service standards in the tourism industry. The HKTB encourages good trade practices and promotes the city's attractions as world-class destinations.

Work-life balance

Work-life balance is an important aspect of the employee experience. However, this balance can be affected by various factors, including government policies. These policies can have negative effects on employees, including excessive workload and pressure to complete work. These policies may also trigger social movements that affect employee emotions and personal activities.

The Kisi study focuses on work-life balance in global cities. While the study is not designed to determine the best cities for work-life balance, it does provide insights into how cities rank. Cities with high scores are more likely to provide employees with a better quality of life, including greater satisfaction and less stress.

Promotion of Tourism in Hong Kong

The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) is a government-sponsored organization that promotes tourism in the city. It replaced the former Hong Kong Tourist Association (HKTA), which was established in 1957. With a mission to promote tourism and to improve the quality of services provided by the travel industry, the HKTB is dedicated to helping Hong Kongers have a great holiday experience.

'Best of All, It's In Hong Kong' global campaign

The 'Best of All, It's in Hong Kong' global campaign for the Hong Kong Tourism Board is a global marketing initiative that invites travelers from all over the world to come and experience this vibrant city. The campaign features four brand videos and a director's cut to inspire visitors to enjoy the diversity of Hong Kong.

The campaign features prominent Hong Kong personalities, including three-star Michelin-starred chef Umberto Bombana and designer Anais Mak. It also highlights the fashion scene and hipster hangouts of Hong Kong. In addition, film star Sean Lau takes viewers on a cultural tour of Hong Kong. Meanwhile, actor Michael Wong promotes the city as the ultimate family holiday destination.

As part of the campaign, the HKTB has invited Super Fans of Hong Kong to participate in activities, which feature their social influence and heart-warming connection to Hong Kong. Once the border is open again, they will be invited to explore the best of Hong Kong, which they can share with their audiences. The campaign is also encouraging Hong Kong residents to rediscover hidden gems of culture. The HKTB's interactive map highlights over 20 cultural discovery hot spots. The interactive map is packed with cultural guides and fascinating anecdotes.

The campaign's Arts in Hong Kong initiative aims to highlight the city's cultural appeal through new and innovative artistic experiences. The HKTB plans to feature international events and unique neighbourhood projects in the campaign as a way to show how the city can be an artsy destination.

The campaign is accompanied by a director's cut and four brand videos. It will target Asian markets and long-haul markets. The videos will be broadcast on regional and local TV networks, as well as online channels. The HKTB also plans to include a section on the campaign's website.

ARTS IN HONG KONG initiative

The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) recently launched the 'Arts in Hong Kong' initiative to highlight the diverse cultural experience of the city. The campaign includes in-person and online events that promote the city's diverse arts and culture scene. In addition, the HKTB is launching a series of new arts and culture venues.

Among the highlights of the initiative is a new interactive exhibition at the Hong Kong Museum of Art. This installation, co-created by artist Garvin Goepel and Kristof Crolla, explores the blurred line between reality and virtuality. It invites the public to interact with the exhibition's collection using virtual reality technology.

HKTB's ARTS IN HONG KONG initiative aims to inspire visitors to discover the hidden gems of Hong Kong's culture and heritage. The museum's permanent and temporary exhibits provide an opportunity for visitors to learn about the history of the city and its people. It also provides a venue for events, workshops, and exhibitions for the public.

Visitors will find diverse cultural experiences at all three sites. The Hong Kong Palace Museum, M+, and the Hong Kong Art Park are some of the cultural institutions that will participate in the program. HKTB has also partnered with a popular pop-art duo from Florida and a Cuban artist. These works will be on display at Art Park in the West Kowloon Cultural District. All are free of charge and accessible to the public. Visitors can explore the international exhibits and create memories during their stay in Hong Kong.

HKTB's new arts initiative aims to attract more international tourists to Hong Kong. The HKTB has been actively promoting events and international art exhibitions to attract a global audience.

Quality Tourism Services (QTS) scheme

The Quality Tourism Services (QTS) scheme is an initiative of the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) to improve the quality of services offered by restaurants, hotels, and retail outlets in Hong Kong. Merchants must meet stringent standards to become QTS accredited and display the corresponding logo. Once accredited, merchants benefit from a number of wonderful member benefits.

QTS accredited restaurants and retail outlets will have a website, which lists information about the establishment's services and policies. The website will also feature photographs and recommend items, as well as information on payment options. In addition, the website will feature the latest Hong Kong vacation packages from local travel operators.

The QTS scheme also includes measures to increase consumer protection. The HKTB has strengthened the requirements for participating merchants and strengthened its complaint-handling process. It also enforces a stricter surveillance of participating merchants. The HKTB hopes that the QTS scheme will enhance public confidence in businesses.

The Quality Tourism Services (QTS) scheme has been in effect since 1999. It is a widely-supported effort to improve the standard of service provided to tourists. As part of the scheme, participating businesses must meet strict criteria and undergo annual assessments. The scheme initially covered restaurants and shops, but later expanded to other tourism sectors such as hair salons and accommodation providers.

Volunteer programme

The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has a Volunteer programme that allows individuals to share their knowledge of the city with visitors. Volunteers, known as Hong Kong Pals, are specially trained to share their local knowledge and experiences. They offer practical insights into Hong Kong's unique history and culture. The volunteer programme helps people experience Hong Kong like a local and offers a wide range of activities.

You can choose to volunteer at a local charity. For example, the Autism Parent Foundation welcomes volunteers aged 15 and up. Volunteers will be matched to projects that suit their interests and talents. Some organisations also welcome families to volunteer. You can contact these organisations via their website. Those interested in assisting the visually impaired can consider the Beyond Vision Project.

The AVS has partnered with several organizations and institutions to develop effective volunteer services. The AVS conducts research on volunteer engagement and provides volunteer trainings. The AVS also has a Volunteer Referral Service where non-profit organizations can find volunteer opportunities. This service provides a list of volunteers who match volunteer needs with organizations.

Volunteers can also volunteer for the Hong Kong Shark Foundation, a registered charity dedicated to saving sharks. The foundation relies on volunteers for research, educational programmes, and administration work. The HKSF also needs volunteers to work on events, such as fundraising. Volunteers can help promote tourism through their creative skills.

Volunteers can also volunteer at Food Angel. This charity offers volunteer opportunities for the entire family. Volunteers can help elderly people, children, and people with disabilities. It accepts volunteers from corporate and educational organizations.

Sustainability of programme

The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has recently announced plans to revamp its destination branding in order to attract new and repeat visitors. The HKTB plans to increase promotional activity on major international media outlets to reach a wider audience. It also plans to expand its digital travel experience and increase marketing resources in the Greater Bay Area.

Sustainable tourism has several goals including maintaining the natural environment and social fabric of the host communities. The purpose of the industry is to benefit the host communities as much as possible. It aims to create products that benefit the host community as well as visitors. The tourism industry's promotion should focus on attracting quality and educated tourists.

To engage the community, the HKTB recruits volunteers for its volunteer programme. These volunteers, known as Hong Kong Pals, undergo intensive training. They are equipped with practical experience and knowledge about local attractions, culture, and history. Volunteers may also have special interests that relate to the local area.

In addition, the HKTB is encouraging the travel trade to introduce more environmentally-friendly tours. This helps visitors explore the countryside, while reducing their impact on the natural environment. The HKTB also works with local districts to develop support services for the tourism industry. Its aim is to build a better and more sustainable future for the Hong Kong tourism industry.

The HML also supports the idea of a travel bubble. In the recent past, many events scheduled to take place in the 2020 at HKCEC were postponed or cancelled because of social distancing. It is also necessary to relax travel restrictions and quarantine measures in order to host major trade exhibitions in Hong Kong. It will work with the event organisers to reschedule events that are affected by these measures.

Hong Kong Tourism Board Announces Revival Plan to Attract More International Visitors

Hong Kong's tourism board has recently announced a revival plan to attract more international tourists. The new strategy focuses on Hong Kong's vibrant developments and new experiences. The plan will rekindle the interest of international visitors. The revival plan was released as Hong Kong's economic and daily life are gradually returning to normal. The revival plan will help the city prepare for its next wave of visitors.

World-class occasions

The HKTB has recently announced plans to stage world-class occasions in October, including the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens and the Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival. Y K Pang, chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, has highlighted the importance of these upcoming events in helping Hong Kong resume to its pre-eminent status. He also said that he believes the city is slowly returning to normal and is ready to host large-scale events and welcome visitors again.

The Hong Kong Tourism Board is tasked with promoting the city as a travel destination and enhancing visitor experiences. It has its own management and structure, and its overall goal is to promote Hong Kong as an international city. It also seeks to improve the quality of the city's tourism infrastructure by encouraging good trade practices.

The HKTB will use its Social Media presence to promote Hong Kong to global audiences. The HKTB is also using its webcasting service to promote its events. This helps attract more traffic to Hong Kong. Through its social media presence, the HKTB will ensure that the city's image as the 'Meeting Place of the World' continues to grow.

The HKTB also hopes to promote its cultural and arts events. Art is a major driver of travel trends around the world. In recent years, the HKTB has been promoting its 'Art Month' campaign with international events. Through this initiative, the HKTB hopes to promote Hong Kong as one of the most fascinating destinations for art-lovers.

New marketing campaign

The Hong Kong Tourism Board has announced the launch of a new marketing campaign aimed at strengthening its position as one of the most attractive travel destinations in the world. The campaign has a focus on authentic experiences in Hong Kong and features a range of promotional campaigns with global reach. The campaign uses the slogan "Live it. Love it." It aims to appeal to travelers who want to experience Hong Kong as a local.

The new campaign is focused on enhancing the city's vibrant arts and cultural scene and promoting the city's global profile as an arts and culture hub. It will feature a series of discounts and incentives to encourage more visitors to explore the city's artistic attractions. Among the new initiatives is Arts in Hong Kong, a campaign that will support a variety of international art events. In addition, the board has launched an interactive map featuring the city's artistic and cultural attractions.

The new marketing campaign will feature photography series by renowned photographer Pum Lefebure, showcasing the city's most culturally rich and experience-worthy spots. The images are part of an international promotional campaign, which will also include a series of music videos featuring emerging musical talents.

The first episode of the series will air on 16th June on CNN-IBN and the second on CNBC TV18. The episodes will promote Hong Kong as a romantic destination, featuring Canto Pop singer Aarif Lee. The campaign is expected to reach millions of people and help in enhancing the city's tourism industry image.

Forum on post-pandemic tourism

The Hong Kong Tourism Board held a forum on the post-covina virus outbreak on 24 June, which was attended by more than 4,000 travel and tourism industry representatives. The event offered insight into the effects of the coronavirus outbreak and the ways in which the tourism industry should respond. It also addressed how the industry can anticipate trends that will emerge when travellers begin to travel again in the post-covina virus era.

Tourism is a valuable source of finance and generates significant flows of income and employment. But the pandemic has hit the industry hard, disrupting the industry and destroying millions of jobs and incomes. As a result, it is essential to develop a holistic response to the crisis.

After the COVID-19 pandemic, tourism and travel in many parts of the world ground to a halt. Many businesses that depended on tourists saw their revenue streams dried up. Some of the more established companies even went out of business. The tourism industry needs support and guidance to recover from the pandemic.

While the recovery process from the pandemic is expected to be slow, it has already shown resilience in the past. It is crucial to implement lessons learned over the past 18 months and plan for the future. The tourism industry must start building its recovery in a manner that puts communities first. It may even face stop/start cycles as it works to reestablish tourism and travel.

Global campaign 'Arts in Hong Kong'

The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has recently launched a global campaign called 'Arts in Hong Kong' to promote the city as a cultural and artistic hub. Its aim is to increase the city's international profile and draw visitors by providing immersive experiences, such as art tech experiences and community arts tours.

The campaign is part of the HKTB's efforts to promote the arts year-round and make Hong Kong a key cultural exchange centre. The HKTB is taking advantage of the growing trend of arts and technology to promote art events and cultural landmarks. This year, the HKTB has unveiled a number of new projects and collaborations that will contribute to the campaign's success.

One such project is the M+ museum, which is Asia's first global museum dedicated to contemporary visual culture. It is expected to open its doors in late 2021. The M+ building, designed by Herzog & de Meuron, TFP Farrells, and Arup, overlooks Victoria Harbour and features a facade embedded with LEDs, enabling it to display moving image works.

Another project to highlight the benefits of arts in Hong Kong is the M+ Playscape, a semi-permanent installation work developed in collaboration with the Garden Museum in New York and the Isamu Noguchi Foundation. It explores various media, including moving image, design, and performance. An exhibition of Antony Gormley's Asian Field is also featured in the project.

The event was attended by senior government officials, including Carrie Lam. The group included Wang Zhimin, director of the Central Liaison Office. During the event, journalists from Apple Daily and Stand News were not allowed to enter. However, the HKJA received a complaint from a student journalist. She was attacked by a male police officer. She then complained to her female commander and filed an official police report.

New marketing campaign 'Live It, Love It'

The Hong Kong Tourism Board's newest campaign, 'Live It, Love It', will hit the market in October and focus on Asia Pacific markets such as China, Taiwan, India, Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia. In addition to airing on local and regional TV channels, the campaign will also reach audiences through the internet.

The campaign is a part of the Global Tourism Revival campaign and aims to create non-stop excitement for visitors. The board is a non-profit organisation that connects Hong Kong with international travel trade and promotes the destination. The Hong Kong Tourism Board plans to roll out the campaign across the world, including in New York and San Francisco.

The campaign is based on influencers. It is a multi-platform campaign, with influencers interacting with fans and sharing stories about Hong Kong. The HKTB's 'I Never Knew Hong Kong' campaign aggregated user-generated content from global visitors using the hashtag #discoverhongkong. This campaign delivered tens of thousands of peer-to-peer recommendations and five million video views. During the campaign's first week, 4.2 million people visited the site.

The new campaign is part of a global campaign that the Hong Kong Tourism Board has launched with the help of advertising agency Grey Group Hong Kong. The campaign includes a series of films aimed at introducing the city to a broad range of travelers. The first two spots have already been released, with two more to follow. The films show the city as a foodie paradise and a fashion hub.

The new campaign builds bridges between the old and new Hong Kong. In addition to the new campaign, the Tourism Board also launched a new neighbourhood promotion in West Kowloon. The neighbourhood features time-tested stores, historic architecture, and traditional crafts. This new campaign is expected to boost local tourism and stimulate economic activity in the area.

Is Hong Kong Part of China?

The Chinese government has taken increasing brazen steps to undermine Hong Kong's democratic system. This includes imposing a new national security law, which is set to take effect in 2020. Beijing has also arrested dozens of pro-democracy activists and curbed voting rights and freedoms of the press and speech. This has drawn international condemnation and raised doubts about Hong Kong's future as a global financial hub. In addition, it has dimmed hopes that Hong Kong will ever be able to fully develop its democracy.

Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China

Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region (or SAR) of the People's Republic of China, located in the eastern Pearl River Delta in South China. It is an important port city and financial center. The city has a population of nearly eight million people, and is home to more than one million businesses.

As a Special Administrative Region (SAR) within the People's Republic of China, Hong Kong has a separate judicial system from the rest of the country. Hong Kong is governed by a combination of common law and civil law. Adults in Hong Kong are subject to PRC decisions, but the laws and regulations of Hong Kong are different. There are several levels of courts and tribunals in the SAR, including the District Court, the Court of First Instance, and the Court of Appeal. There are also self-review procedures within individual Tribunals and Courts.

Special Administrative Regions (SAR) of China enjoy a high degree of autonomy in the management of their affairs. These areas are responsible for economic, financial, political, and legal matters in the territory. In addition, SARs are independent from the Chinese government and have representation in various international organizations.

Hong Kong is home to the 33rd largest economy in the world. Its GDP is estimated at $362 billion, making it the 33rd largest economy in the world. Despite its economic potential, Hong Kong's most pressing challenge is the interference of the Chinese government in internal affairs. Many citizens feel that they are deprived of their cultural identity and are alienated from their Chinese counterparts.

It is a major port city with an outstanding deepwater harbor

Hong Kong is a major port city in Asia, with one of the world's most impressive deepwater harbors. The harbor is composed of five channels that separate Hong Kong Island from the Kowloon Peninsula. These channels allow ships to dock right next to high-rise business and office buildings.

There are several facilities and services that help ships safely navigate the harbor. The Marine Department has an advanced vessel tracking and surveillance system. It operates a comprehensive monitoring system covering 95% of Hong Kong's waters. It provides navigational information for mariners and advises them on activities in Hong Kong's waterways. It also works to improve the safety standard in the port.

The harbour is connected to other ports in China and is also a major shipping hub. The port also has connections to 450 ports in over 130 countries. This is a very convenient and cost-effective option for shipping cargo. It is also an important part of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Corridor, a road transport link between Hong Kong and Shenzhen.

The Hong Kong Port is one of the world's largest and busiest deepwater harbors. It is also a major centre for employment of seafarers. More than 420 seagoing ships under the flag of 12 maritime nations are registered with the Port of Hong Kong. The Hong Kong government ensures that these vessels are serviced to the highest international marine environmental protection and safety standards.

It is a one-party state

While a one-party state is not a dictatorship, it does have a strong political position. Beijing has imposed its will in many sectors of Hong Kong, from the local parliament to the civil service. Beijing has justified these reforms as a means of plugging loopholes and defending national interests, but critics argue that the reforms are more likely to attack hard-won freedoms. Moreover, the government has gutted Hong Kong's competitive elections and replaced them with sham races.

Pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong have been the subject of a massive crackdown by the Beijing government. In January 2021, fifty-three pro-democracy politicians were arrested on charges of "subversion." Some of these leaders were involved in organizing a public opinion poll to coordinate LegCo candidates. Authorities have also been targeting prominent pro-democracy lawyers and political activists. One prominent example of this is Joshua Wong, who was sentenced to ten months in jail after lighting candles in a park. As more pro-democracy leaders are arrested and charged, their sentences are lengthened.

Hong Kong has a semi-representative system of government, with a Legislative Council and district councils. There are also independent judges. District councils are elected to represent rural populations, but they have no real political power. They serve as the local government's "eyes and ears." They pass on information about services and public facilities to residents and advise on how to use funds. The district councils also have some funding to spend on community and environmental projects.

It has a basic law protecting freedom of assembly and freedom of speech

Hong Kong's basic law on freedom of assembly and speech has been a source of controversy since the protests of 2019. Despite the existence of a fundamental law protecting these rights, many activists and students have complained that their freedom to speak and meet was limited. The government is accused of spying on protestors and using facial recognition technology to identify them. In response, the government banned students from wearing face masks during demonstrations and imposed an Emergency Regulations Ordinance to restrict the freedom of expression. In addition, Hong Kong authorities confiscated the phones of protesters, a violation of the right to privacy.

Protests in Hong Kong have been ongoing since the government's decision to formally withdraw the extradition bill in October. Protesters have called for an amnesty for more than 6,000 people arrested since the start of the protests. They also want an independent inquiry into the abuse of power by the Hong Kong police.

Protesters have repeatedly called for universal suffrage, although until recently the government allowed incremental changes to the electoral system. The introduction of universal suffrage has been a central demand of protesters, as the electoral system in Hong Kong has historically been biased towards pro-Beijing interests and prevents direct elections for many offices. Further, in recent years the electoral system has become increasingly hostile to dissenting opinions.

It is an independent member of the WTO

As an independent member of the WTO, Hong Kong enjoys certain rights. Firstly, it is allowed to set its own trade policy and conduct its external trade affairs. Second, it has the right to enter into binding international agreements. It can do this without prior authorisation. Third, it has the right to establish economic and trade missions abroad. Fourth, it can participate in dispute settlement procedures.

Hong Kong is one of the most open economies in the world. It is a founding member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and ranks in the top ten in terms of international trade value. It also has an Arbitration Ordinance which allows for emergency arbitration within or outside Hong Kong.

Hong Kong has several representatives on the WTO's governing body. The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Edward Yau, served as one of the Vice Chairs at the Eleventh WTO Ministerial Conference in 2017. Irene Young served as Chairman of the Council for Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) in 2017/18, and as the Chair of the Committee on Trade and Environment in 2015/16 and 2014/15. Joanna Cheung has also served as a member of the Committee on Customs Valuation.

Among the benefits of the Hong Kong system is that it does not disqualify trade officials or trade lawyers. While consultations are a crucial part of the WTO's dispute resolution process, the vast majority of cases never get to the panel stage. Nevertheless, the Appellate Body is gaining respect and authority in recent years. Its decisions have been implemented in more than half of the cases where parties sought mediation.

It has strong economic ties with mainland China

Hong Kong is a major trading centre with strong economic ties with mainland China. Trade between the two places is expected to reach $560 billion by 2021. Hong Kong is also a major service centre with strong ties to the Asia-Pacific region. Hong Kong provides two types of public holidays: statutory holidays and general holidays. Statutory holidays are those mandated by the Employment Ordinance and include all Sundays, New Year's Day and Christmas Day. These statutory holidays are also supplemented by four general holidays.

The Hong Kong economy is highly dependent on trade with the rest of the world. In 2021, total merchandise trade in Hong Kong amounted to HK$10,268 billion, or 358% of the total economy. Hong Kong's imports and exports totaled HK$5,307 billion and US$121.9 billion, making it the 6th largest trading entity in the world, and making it a key hub for exports and imports.

Hong Kong's economic ties with mainland China are strong, and they complement each other in many ways. Although Hong Kong enjoys limited autonomy, the two countries share economic and cultural ties. Both economies are characterized by low taxes, free trade and minimal government interference. While mainland Chinese stock markets are conservative, Hong Kong's are more liberal.

As China's largest offshore RMB center, Hong Kong plays an important role in facilitating access to overseas capital. Its offshore status and free capital movement make it the preferred offshore financial centre for Mainland companies. In fact, from 2010 to 2018, 73% of IPOs by Mainland companies took place in Hong Kong.