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Country Commercial Guides for FY 2000:
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CHAPTER IX: BUSINESS TRAVEL
A. Business Customs
Over the years, Hong Kong has developed as a unique society based on Chinese tradition and western technology. It is a society which practices religious and racial tolerance. Above all, it is a society that emphasizes hard work and success.
Americans encounter few if any cultural problems when conducting business in Hong Kong. Americans should be aware that Hong Kong people tend to be more formal than many Americans. Business acquaintances are addressed as Mr. or Ms. unless they state that their first name should be used. Business cards are exchanged frequently and the exchange should be fairly formal: the card should be accepted with both hands and a moment taken to read it carefully. "Face" is very important, and problems or areas of disagreement are handled indirectly to avoid loss of "face." While a study of local customs and practices may be helpful, most people in Hong Kong are sufficiently familiar with Western customs that they are tolerant of cultural differences. Business contacts should be treated the same as a formal business relationship in the United States. Western business attire (suit and tie for men, business suits for women) is appropriate.
B. Travel Advisory and Visas
Visas allowing residence and local employment for expatriates are granted on the basis of simple, comprehensible procedures, are handled in a timely manner and managed in a way that is consistent with the interests of employees. There are no quotas, bonds, or guarantees required. All residents are equal under the law, enjoy freedom of movement, access to public education, and basic civil freedoms.
Visiting Americans generally fit in well. Most Hong Kong business executives speak English, and are accustomed to dealing with Westerners.
C. Holidays
1999 September 25 Day following the Mid-Autumn Festival October 1 National Day October 18 Day following the Chung Yeung Festival December 25 Christmas Day December 27 First week-day after Christmas Day December 31 General Holiday -- To be named 2000 January 1 New Year's Day February 4 Day preceding Lunar New Year's Day February 5 Lunar New Year's Day February 7 Third day of the Lunar New Year April 4 Ching Ming Festival April 21 Good Friday April 22 Day following Good Friday April 24 Easter Monday May 1 Labor Day May 11 The Buddha's Birthday June 6 Tuen Ng Festival July 1 Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Establishment Day September 13 Day following Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival October 2 Day following National Day October 6 Chung Yeung Festival December 25 Christmas Day December 26 First week-day after Christmas DayD. Work Week
Business hours are 9 to 5, Monday through Friday. Saturday has traditionally been a half day but, due to the competition to keep staff, many companies now advertise a 5 day workweek.
E. Business Infrastructure (e.g. transportation, language, communications, housing, health, food)
Housing, food, telecommunications, transportation and healthcare are all available at levels comparable to major American cities. Most people live in apartments in high-rise buildings. Rents for housing are usually very high. Hong Kong has many different types of restaurants, offering a wide variety of international food. Grocery stores are also stocked with an international selection of items. Communications facilities are excellent. Long distance telephone and facsimile services can be easily arranged with telecommunications companies, and are available in hotels and business centers. Hong Kong also has a very good public transportation system. Major modes of transportation include buses, the Mass Transit Railway (underground subway system), trams, ferries, the Kowloon-Canton Railway and taxis. In addition, almost all major airlines service Hong Kong. Healthcare facilities are also excellent, and Hong Kong's private hospitals and private physicians are of international standards.
Your business partners will often speak English, and will negotiate on a very business-like basis. It should be noted, however, that as companies from China continue to expand their business activities in Hong Kong, more business is being conducted in Mandarin. When conducting business with these companies, U.S. business people may be well advised to bring along a Mandarin-English interpreter to avoid any misunderstandings.
F. Temporary Entry of Goods (e.g. laptop computers, software, exhibit materials)
Hong Kong Customs does not restrict the temporary import of goods into Hong Kong, such as laptop computers, software and general exhibit materials, for business purposes so long as the goods are not restricted items which normally require an import license. The temporary import of supercomputers, which is a controlled item, or of any exhibit materials which are also controlled items, would require a license even if the commodity is being shipped in only for exhibit purposes.
U.S. business travelers are encouraged to obtain a copy of the "Key Officers of Foreign Service Posts: Guide for Business Representatives" available for sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402; tel. (202) 512-1800; fax (202)512-2250. Business travelers to Hong Kong seeking appointments with U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong officials should contact the Commercial Section in advance. The Commercial Section can be reached by telephone at (852) 2521-1467, fax at (852) 2845-9800, or email at Hong.Kong.Office.Box@mail.doc.gov.
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[end of document] Note* International Copyright, United States Government, 1998 (or other year of first publication). All rights under foreign copyright laws are reserved. All portions of this publication are protected against any type or form of reproduction, communications to the public and the preparation of adaptations, arrangement and alterations outside the United States. U. S. copyright is not asserted under the U.S. Copyright Law, Title17, United States Code.
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