Hong Kong Dog

By Roger J Lee

Hong Kong is a popular hub for international firms keen on setting up businesses in Asia. Its’ physical and political proximity to China coupled with modern infrastructure, internationally accepted and transparent legal system based on English law and lower tariff structure have rendered it into one of the world’s leading financial and business centres.

According to an annual survey conducted by Invest Hong Kong and the Census and Statistics Department, the region situated on the southern coast of China is sought after by multinationals and inland companies looking to expand their business operations in East Asia. The survey identifies new investment trends wherein international firms have made Hong Kong a focal point for their, both regional and worldwide operations while inland companies from China have relocated here to benefit from numerous business opportunities.

A versatile work culture adept in both English and Mandarin languages makes for easier transactions saving companies time and translation costs in the process. Besides, the free floating currency of Hong Kong dollar, the absence of good and services tax, and a flat profit tax rate of 17.5 percent for company operations based in Hong Kong translate into hefty financial gains for multinational corporations. Also, the Hong Kong based companies gain from the provision of re-invoicing.

Re-invoicing involves international trading between the buyer and seller companies through an intermediary company based in regions that exempt tax on import and export processing. The companies that want to trade goods and services from abroad to China or vice versa set up an intermediary company in Hong Kong, which invoices the buying or selling price at higher than the original production costs. This way they are able to show reduced or zero profit margins while at the same time masking the original procurement costs. Reduced or zero profit margins as recorded by the intermediary company allow it to retain maximum profit margins while minimizing the profit tax. The financial gains are substantial especially for the foreign firms keen to trade in goods and services in Chinese markets.

What boosts their business strategy further is the special trade agreement between Hong Kong and main land China. The bilateral free-trade agreement known as Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) allows Hong Kong based businesses easy access and reduced tariff rates to sell goods in the Chinese markets. Tariffs on 273 categories of goods including textiles, electronic and electric products, jewellery and clothing have been exempted. Further, 90 percent of Hong Kong’s total export to China has been waived off the tariff duty from year 2006. Even though China’s ascension to World Trade Organisation (WTO) has warranted a string of trade liberalisation measures to allow business with other WTO members Hong Kong enjoys special privilege in being allowed the first opportunity to capture mainland China’s budding markets.

In addition the ongoing liberalization of various service sectors including infrastructure development, housing, banking, logistics and commodities, and real estate promise newer opportunities for Hong Kong based companies. Their business potential is enormous considering some of the advantages that Hong Kong based companies enjoy in China are accrued due to its’ special relationship with China especially since no such provisions are allowed by WTO in the long term. The ongoing inward investment in the People’s Republic of China coupled with Hong Kong’s zero-tariff status will attract foreign companies especially those selling service-sector based goods to establish and operate their headquarters from this region.

Last but not the least the vibrant and cosmopolitan culture of Hong Kong accommodates both local and Western tastes. Living in the city is a pleasure for both local and expats as this southern port city of China celebrates Chinese New Year, Dragon Boat racing and mid-Autumn festival with as much aplomb as Christmas, Valentine’s Day and Halloween. Besides, an efficient transport network, rich night life and cultural waterholes make it an attractive destination for international companies looking to set up their business operations in East and South East Asia as well as for their relocating staff. This enhanced by political stability, strong law and order, greater freedom of information, and availability of business and professional support services makes living in Hong Kong equal to living in any other metropolis in the world.

GuideMeHongKong.com is a Hong Kong-focused portal that provides comprehensive, accurate and current information to global business professionals and entrepreneurs about doing business, relocation, and living in Hong Kong. To learn more details about setting up a business in Hong Kong, please refer to the following pages:

http://ezinearticles.com/?Why-Foreign-Firms-Often-Choose-Hong-Kong-As-Their-Business-Headquarters-in-Asia?&id=4331587

HongKong Company Registration Guide
http://www.guidemehongkong.com/company/c745-hong-kong-company-registration-guide.htm

By Adel Awwad

The Chinese love of gambling is well known; yet what is less well-known is that there are few casinos operating anywhere in China, including Hong Kong. The government of China has a somewhat negative attitude towards casinos, and gambling more generally, and discourages it wherever possible. Therefore, Hong Kong casinos get around this official prohibition in a number of ingenious ways.

Although there are no officially sanctioned Hong Kong casinos, gambling in Hong Kong is actually remarkably easy. The most obvious method of gambling is to go to nearby Macao; the former Portuguese enclave is only a short hydrofoil ride away, less than an hour from Hong Kong. In Macao, gambling is not only permitted, but it is the prime attraction for tourists visiting from Hong Kong and elsewhere. There is an official age limit of 21, and passports are required for the journey, but otherwise, Hong Kong gamblers will find the trip to Macao more than worthwhile – always provided they win, of course!

There are a large number of casinos in Macao that cater to every type of gambler, whether they are playing for high stakes or low, and however dressed. China is well aware that many people come to Macao for the gambling, including thousands of tourists from Hong Kong, and so China is happy to permit the sport to continue. Indeed, Chinese people are well known for their addiction to gambling of all sorts, and consequently, the casinos are almost always full.

Another aspect of the Hong Kong casino scene is offshore gambling, which allows Hong Kong tourists to gamble on board specially appointed cruise ships and boats in international waters off the coast of Hong Kong, thus getting around the rules that prevent the existence of Hong Kong casinos. Publicity for these cruises rarely features gambling very prominently, but nonetheless, there are many operators offering voyages that include the opportunity to gamble at leisure in an onboard casino. Of course, these journeys also offer the chance to enjoy spectacular views of Hong Kong harbor when entering and leaving the former colony. As a result, these voyages are extremely well subscribed to and growing in popularity every year. They are an enjoyable addition to the usual itinerary of the visitor to Hong Kong, and accordingly, there are plenty of opportunities for tourists visiting Hong Kong to enjoy the excitement and glamor of visiting a casino and indulging in this most Chinese of pastimes.

About the Author: This article is the property of Hong Kong Casinos

Source: www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=128305&ca=Recreation

By Alex J Smith

Hong Kong is one of the greatest shopping centers of the world. Due to its status as a free port, tourists traveling to China and Hong Kong can find the best deals anywhere in the world. Hong Kong hosts a lot of different items from all over the world.

The Landmark Atrium

The Landmark Atrium is a top shopping center in Hong Kong that caters for the upscale consumer. If you are looking for designer shoes, clothes, and bags, then Landmark Atrium is the place to go. The shopping mall is directly connected to the local transit station for easy access.

The City Plaza

This Hong Kong shopping plaza is a top class department store that features the products of Marks and Spencer’s. Aside from the usual designer shops, this shopping mall also has a wide array of toy products from Toys R Us and a heavily used skating rink. It is connected above the train station. The City Plaza is also home to the widest choices of Chinese and Foreign fast food.

The Lanes

Hong Kong shopping is not complete if one does not go through the famous shopping streets. One of them is the Lanes central. Lined up in these streets are various kinds of small shops that offer the best goods from seafood to electronic products. Hong Kong is known for budget shopping and great finds.

The Nathan Road

The Nathan Road in Kowloon is another Hong Kong shopping street that is known for its various boutiques that are popular to night shoppers. In The Nathan Road, your most valuable asset is your money and your ability to haggle. If you win, you can find the greatest deals. But if you lose, you will find yourself with overpriced pieces. In this street, the haggling is part of the shopping experience that is hard to replace.

The Stanley Market

The Stanley Market also in Kowloon is a most famous Hong Kong shopping center that is known for the excitement of going there as much as shopping there. Home to the best Chinese artworks and souvenirs, you can find lots of Mao items that you can take home. This experience is literally a drive to the jungle. If haggling is the unique experience in Nathan, then the journey is the featured experience here.

About the Author: Alex J Smith writes for Datravelers.com It’s a website where travelers can host their own travel blogs, upload photos and find unbiased travel information.

Source: www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=187758&ca=Travel

By E Cho

When it comes to traveling to Hong Kong for winter vacations, it is more likely that traditional celebrations of this season run away with your mind, bringing images of the Chinese New Year’s Parade, which is in fact, one of the main seasonal attractions in the city. However, Hong Kong became a British colony in 1842, and the Opium War of 1860 left the city as a British Protectorate until the year 2000, when Hong Kong returned to China’s hands. History made this place a cosmopolitan city where visitors can enjoy a traditional Christmas pudding cake, or a New Year’s dinner with a Cantonese touch. In fact, many hotels in Hong Kong offer special packages from late November to mid-February to cover all the seasonal events, including the Chinese New Year.

On the island side, some of the most popular hotels include the Charterhouse Empire, Hotel Causeway Bay, South Pacific Hotel, Novotel Century, Grand Hyatt. JW Marriott Hotel, Ritz Carlton Hong Kong and Harbour Plaza North Point. Hong Kong’s Kowloon area has many other reputable hotels, including the YMCA International House, The Imperial Hotel, Ramada Hotel Kowloon, Royal Pacific Tower, and the Nikko hotel Inter-Continental Hong Kong.

Whether booking your lodging in the traditional district, in Kowloon, the new territories or the outlaying island, Christmas and New Years celebrations in Hong Kong are seasonal events. Chinese New Year in Hong Kong last for three days and it is coming next February 18, 2007. The new moon comes to end for the Year of the Dog and welcomes the Year of the Boar, which is the twelfth animal of the Chinese horoscope that.

Even though Christmas is celebrated much like any other big city of the world there is also a Western-like New Year’s parade with fireworks. Dragon dancers are the main attraction of the New Year Parade, going from one point to another on the island, spreading the good wishes and scaring away the evil spirits that were left from the previous year. Christmas celebrations not only attract many international visitors to Hong Kong to see how the Orient celebrates holidays, but it also attracts performers from all over the world who meet in Hong Kong.

Hotels in Hong Kong decorate Christmas trees and are dressed in colorful decorations throughout December, but many other decorated floats remain until the Chinese new year, when music, dance and street entertainers take over all the streets, starting from the Harbour front.

Christmas lights are substituted by paper lanterns that hang between buildings. Candles are placed inside the lantern to create a colorful glow through out Hong Kong streets. They are usually made from red paper and golden ink, symbolizing happiness, prosperity, healing, and good fortune.

Hong Kong is filled with flower displays all over the island. There will be literally millions of people on the streets, crowded on the streets of Hong Kong celebrating for days and creating an atmosphere like you will never see in any other city around the world. A great display of fireworks and firecrackers over Victoria Harbor announces the end of the Chinese New Year celebrations.

About the Author: Eric Cho looks after Hotels in Asia and Hotels in Hong Kong, promoting famous Asian destinations.

Source: www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=109498&ca=Travel

By David Urmann

Disneyland is very popular worldwide, both to kids and adults. For most Asians, Disneyland is only a dream seen in movies and television. But now Disneyland opened in Hong Kong to cater to the Asian fans. This third resort opened in Penny’s Bay, Lantau Island, Hong Kong. The Chinese used their traditional feng shui technique in choosing this location.

The Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel’s location was also dependent on feng shui. With a total of 400 guest rooms, the hotel can be one of the biggest in Hong Kong. They have a convention center that has several function rooms and ballrooms. Their guestrooms are of several kinds. There are garden views, just sea view, sea view plus balcony, and fantasia rooms. All rooms have jacuzzi.

If you prefer the Kingdom Club level, you can have guestrooms and suites available here. You can have the Kingdom Club Rooms and Kingdom suites. This is also the place where you can find the two presidential suites, the Walt Disney Suite and the Royal Disney Suite. These are two great rooms considered the most expensive in the building.

The hotel’s convention center has three ballrooms – Snow White, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty. These ballrooms have the same setting in those ballrooms that you see in the movies. The largest ballroom among the three is the Cinderella Ballroom. The smallest one is the Snow White Ballroom. The Snow White Ballroom features an outdoor event garden called the Dreamer’s Garden.

For your dining needs, there are three restaurants for you to enjoy. The three restaurants are – Enchanted Garden, Crystal Lotus and Sea Breeze Bar.

The Enchanted Garden offers you an experience dining with the Disney characters. They serve buffet of international cuisines. The Crystal Lotus offers Chinese cuisines. They are called Crystal Lotus because they have more than a thousand lotus decorations. The Sea Breeze Bar is next to the outdoor pool offering European meals and also cocktails.

The hotel has two lounges – the Sorcerers Lounge and Kingdom Club Lounge. The Kingdom Club Lounge is just for Kingdom Lounge guests.

For shoppers, the best place for them is the Kingdom Gifts. This is located next to the main entrance. They sell a variety of souvenir items. It is designed with the Victorian theme.

Other facilities of the hotel include the pool – two indoor and two outdoor pools. The hotel also has tennis courts and a maze for kids. There is also a place for kids’ activities.

The Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel is one of the most beautiful places to stay while visiting Disneyland.

For more information on Hongkong Hotels in Disneyland and Deal Disneyland Hotels please visit our website.

Article Source: eZineArticles