BRIEF INTRODUCTION

I. Data in this chapter show main social and economic developments of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, including data on land, population, employment, national income, Balance of Payments account, industry, energy, construction, transportation, external trade, finance and banking, education, housing, health and social security.

II. Data of 1996 and previous years in this chapter refer to data of the former Hong Kong region.

III. Population figures presented in the present edition may be different from those presented in earlier editions of this Yearbook. The same applies to other statistics which in the process of their compilation have involved the use of population figures. The differences may be due to one or both of the following reasons:

1. Since August 2000, the resident population approach has been adopted in place of the 揺xtended de facto approach for compiling Hong Kong population figures. Revised population figures backdated to 1996 have been compiled. Population figures compiled based on the new approach will better reflect the residency and mobility patterns of Hong Kong people.

2. A Population Census was conducted in March 2001 in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Apart from serving as the prime source of data for small areas and population sub-groups, the 2001 Population Census provides a benchmark for revising the population figures compiled since the 1996 Population By-census. With the release of the preliminary results of the 2001 Population Census in end August 2001, population figures released in earlier periods for 1996 to 2000 have been revised accordingly. Similarly, other statistics which in the process of their compilation have involved the use of population figures have also been revised where appropriate.

IV. All data in this chapter are provided by the Census and Statistics Department, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and further tabulated or edited by the International Statistical Information Centre of the National Bureau of Statistics.

V. According to the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region maintains its independent statistical system, and compiles and disseminates statistics on the Region. As Hong Kong and the mainland of China use different statistical concepts, definitions and terminologies, users are advised to make reference of the following materials when using and comparing data of the mainland of China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region:

1. A Comparison of Common Statistical Terms Used in China Statistical Yearbook and Publications Compiled by the Census and Statistics Department, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, which listed similar statistical concepts using different terms.

2.The Explanatory Note at the end of this chapter which gives explanation on important statistical indicators.

VI. As Hong Kong is a separate custom territory, trade between Hong Kong and the mainland of China needs customs declaration procedures. In terms of trade statistics, data on Hong Kong’s imports and exports include Hong Kong’s trade with the mainland of China.

VII. As HK dollar is the legal tender in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, all other currencies (including Renminbi) are regarded as foreign currencies in compiling foreign exchange statistics and related statistics.

VIII. For more detailed statistics and technical details, users are advised to read the Hong Kong Monthly Digest of Statistics, the Hong Kong Annual Digest of Statistics and other publications compiled by the Census and Statistics Department, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

IX. Notations used in this chapter:

“-” indicates not applicable. “N.A.” indicates not available.