Business Communication Skills 2

Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of the leading digital economies in the world. It has developed highly efficient
public services and made good progress towards a smarter and greener city. Smart city signifies
the wide application of new technologies such as sensors, Internet of Things (IoT), cloud
computing, mobile technology and big data analytics to develop intelligent systems in the city
planning, construction and management, so as to achieve better allocation of resources, become
more environmental friendly, and enable better managed city operations for the benefits and
quality of citizens. Hong Kong has a strong information and communication technology
infrastructure as the foundation as a smart city. According to Victor Lam, the Acting Government
Chief Information Officer, Hong Kong has a very robust telecoms infrastructure with innovative
services at affordable prices and the worlds highest mobile penetration with more than 17 million
mobile subscribers compared to a population of 7.2 million as of May 2015. Of those, almost 13
million subscribers have access to the internet from their mobile devices. Hong Kong is one of
the most Internet-ubiquitous cities in the world with average peak internet speed of 87.7
megabits per second, which is the fastest in the world. Wide spread Wi-Fi coverage enables the
city to be connected anywhere and anytime with over 30,000 hotspots. The ICT infrastructure is
already IPv6 upgraded and ready for next generation of IoT technology and development.
Annually more than 150 million passengers travel to and from Hong Kong, making Hong Kong
one of the worlds main transportation hubs. The International Airport is the worlds busiest cargo
gateway and one of the worlds busiest passenger airport, handling more than 63 million
passengers annually. Hong Kongs public transportation system is used by 12.5 million
passengers daily including railways, trams, buses, minibuses, taxis, and ferries. The Kowloon
Motor Bus Company operates 3826 buses on 311 bus routes. Usual Fares range from $3.2 to
$13.4 in the city. In comparison, a Taxi fare starts at around $22 for the first two kilometers and
on average an additional $1.5 for every 200 meters thereafter. There are approximately 18,000
taxis in Hong Kong that carry one million passengers daily. Another 4.7 million passengers use
the public railway each day on a route system covering 177 kilometers. A standard adult single
journey fare ranges from $4 to $58. Electric trams have been running in Hong Kong since 1904
operating six main routes on a 16 kilometer track. The 161 double-deck trams carry 176,000
passengers daily for a fare of $2.3. In addition to ground public transportation, Hong Kong also
has a small network of ferries that carries 135,000 passengers daily for a fare ranging from $2 to
$42.9.
Hong Kong, a global free port and financial hub, continues to thrive on the free flow of goods,
services, and capital. The citys mature and extensive transportation sector has been a driving
force behind ranking Hong Kong as the freest economy in the world for 20 consecutive years.
For many international companies, Hong Kong is a convenient platform for entering mainland
China. In addition to an advanced infrastructure and transportation sector, the citys main
language is English, therefore making it easier for many foreign executives to live comfortably
in Hong Kong, while engaging in business on the mainland. Hong Kong has been a gateway for
China to absorb technological and management expertise. In Hong Kongs business culture
punctuality and timeliness are crucial.

Leveraging the digital infrastructure, Hong Kong is actively pioneering IoT applications for their
public infrastructure and transportation. The Water Supplies Department is implementing an
intelligent network of sensors in pipes to gather data on water usage and curtail any water
leakage. Since the citys hectic business life views time as money, new IoT applications are being
developed for the transportation sector. The Government will deploy sensors at busy roads and
collect real-time data to manage traffic flow and enhance mobility. Even traffic speeds are
detected for accurate estimates and better route planning. Public transportation is also becoming
smarter with mobile apps that provide a more personalized service directly to citizens. The
estimated arrival times of upcoming busses at nearby stops are readily available in the app by
utilizing the phones GPS. It enables the users to plan their routes for better time management
when commuting and going from meeting to meeting. These infrastructure developments are
contributing to Hong Kongs goal of becoming a smarter city and retaining its international
importance.
Links
http://www.heritage.org/index/country/hongkong
http://www.forbes.com/sites/joshsteimle/2014/07/25/what-you-dont-know-about-doing-businessin-hong-kong/
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/acfff900-4a0b-11e4-8de3-00144feab7de.html#axzz3s5UEeJuR
http://www.gov.hk/en/about/abouthk/factsheets/docs/statistics.pdf
http://www.gov.hk/en/about/abouthk/factsheets/docs/transport.pdf
http://www.ogcio.gov.hk/en/news_and_publications/speeches/2015/05/sp_20150514.htm
https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/3176872/hong-kong-telecoms-infrastructure-operatorsregulations-statistics-and-analyses.html