| Hong
Kong (Special Administrative Region) History
of Relations | Diplomatic Representation | Travel
Info | Health Requirements | Climate Info
| Currency Info | Trade Info | Visits
and Meetings | Agreements | Interest Groups/
Organisations History of Relations Relations
were established in 1949. South Africa and the People's Republic of China
agreed in June 1997 on the maintenance of the Consulate-General in the Hong Kong
Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China until and beyond
the establishment of formal diplomatic relations on 1 January 1998. Diplomatic
Representation South African Representation in Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region
Ms N G P O Tambo
Consul-General
South
African Consulate-General Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region Representation in South Africa
1. Hong Kong Trade Development
Council Tel 011 322 4898 Fax 011 322 4899 e-mail johannesburg.consultant@tdc.org.hk Website
www.tdc.org.hk 2. Official representation
falls under the auspices of the various diplomatic offices of the People's Republic
of China Embassy of the People's Republic of China Travel
Info Visa Requirements for South Africans For more
information contact the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in South Africa. Health
Requirements Immunisation against the following is recommended: typhoid, hepatitis
A and B, diphtheria and tuberculosis For further information
go to Travelers' Health. Climate
Info Generally speaking, the climate in Hong Kong is warm and
humid. The hottest months are from June to September. There can also be quite
heavy rainfall. Although typhoons can be pretty severe, Hong Kong tends not to
suffer from direct hits or "Typhoon 10" signals very often. Whilst
Hong Kong is a sub-tropical location, the winters are chilly, especially when
you consider that most buildings are designed to keep heat out and are not heated
in winter. The winter is at its coldest from December to February. For up-to-date
weather information click here. Currency
Info The local currency is the Hong Kong dollar, which is pegged
to the US dollar and is freely convertible to other monetary units. Its value
in terms of South African Rand fluctuates according to market conditions. The
rate of exchange is approximately HK$0.96 = 1R. Any currency may be brought into
the territory. For current exchange rates click here. State
and Official Visits / Bilateral Meetings No Information Bilateral
Agreements If you have any queries with regard to treaties please contact the Treaty Section at 012 351 0872/0872/0837.
Trade
Information For more detailed information, please refer to the
Hong Kong Information Services web site. (South Africa ranged Hong Kong's
No. 32 trade partners in 2002) South Africa's main exports, as at the end
of 1998, to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region include iron and steel,
pearls, precious and semi-precious stones, fruit and nuts - fresh or dried (not
including oil nuts), aluminium and non-ferrous base metal waste and scrap. The
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's main exports to South Africa include
watches and clocks, textile yarn, fabrics and related products, parts and accessories
of office machines/computers, telecommunications equipment and polymers of styrene
in primary forms. For current information on trade statistics between South
Africa and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, visit the web site of the
Department of Trade
and Industry of South Africa Interest
Groups and Information South African Business Forum Chairman
Mr. Nills Flatten Secretary Ms S M Maleka Tel: 09 852 2862 7723 09
852 2577 3279 Fax: 09 852 2845 3415 09 852 2577 4532 Southern
African Association in Hong Kong Chairman Mr. Tim Tane Tel 09 852
2813 6009 E-mail: tthane@netvigator.com FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
(FAQ) 1. How does the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region operate
as a territory of the People's Republic of China? What exactly does "One
Country Two Systems" mean? Hong Kong was returned to the PRC on 1 July
1997, previously being a colony of Britain. As a result of this, Hong Kong became
known as the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic
of China. In practical terms, the PRC is in control of all military and foreign
relations (state to state) and issues which could impact on the security and sovereignty
of the PRC. However, all matters pertaining to the legal system (including the
rule of law), monetary control, customs union, freedom of the press, education,
trade, cultural, technology matters etc. remain the domain of the Government of
the HKSAR led by The Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa. For more detailed
information, please refer to the internet site detailing the Basic Law of the
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the PRC. | 
