1996 Facts - Living in Hong Kong

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© keeweechic 2001-2007

FACTS - 1996

Worlds Highest per capita users of cellular phones and pagers.

Hong Kong’s harbour, one of the busiest in the world with some 214,000 arrivals annually

One of the world’s lowest tax rates at a maximum of 15% for employees with only 2% of the population paying the maximum rate.

The world’s leading importer of Cognac Brandy.

Hong Kong public libraries report one of the worlds highest per capital userships.

Second highest rate of fax penetration with some 270,000 fax and telephone lines.

Asia’s most popular destinations.

Third most productive film industry in the world.

Worlds highest per capita TV. viewership ratio and one of the world’s highest per household TV-set ownership ratios.

Ocean Park is one of Southeast Asia’s largest oceanarium and fun park on 87 hectares. The Park contains one of the world’s longest and fastest roller coasters and one of the world’s largest capacity cable-car systems designated to carry 4,000 people per hour in each direction. Asia’s first and largest water playpark, Water World which is part of the Ocean Park complex. The world’s largest reef aquarium , the Atoll Reef at Ocean Park holds 2.2 million litres of water and more than 5,000 fish.

Possibly the world’s highest ratio of restaurants and café’s.

Worlds largest indoor Chinese restaurant, the Ocean City Restaurant and Nightclub in Tsim Sha Tsui catering for more than 6,000 people at one time on its 7,2000 square metre premises.

World’s largest floating restaurants, Jumbo and Sea Palace moored in Aberdeen harbour.

World’s largest Japanese-style nightclub, Club Bboss, in Tsim Sha Tsui East occupying 6,5000 sqm.

In 1995 25 of the world’s 50 busiest McDonald’s restaurants are located in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Zoological & Botanical Gardens established in 1861 is among the world’s leading breeding centres for endangered species. The bird collection is one of the most comprehensive in Asia.

Worlds tallest, outdoor, seated bronze Buddha statue on Lantau Island. 34 metres high, 250 tonne.

The Concert Hall at the Cultural Centre boasts a 93-stop, 8,000 pipe Austrian organ, the largest pipe organ in Southeast Asia.

The world’s professional Chinese instrument orchestra with 85 members using tradition and modern Chinese musical instruments.

Worlds most comprehensive collection of Yixing tea ware in what may be the world’s only substantial Museum of Tea Ware.

Royal Hong Kong Police Force is one of the oldest police forces in the world, formed in 1842 with a total strength of 35 men. The current force of 28,000 full time officers means there are 450 officers for every 100,000 people, one of the worlds highest ratios.

One of the safest cities in the world

Along with the Japanese, Hong Kong has one of the highest life expectancies in the world with an average age of 79 years

Hong Kong infants grow up in a territory with one of the world’s highest literacy rates.

Highest consumers of protein according to United Nations Food & Agriculture Organisation.

Probably one of the world’s leading per capita consumer of oranges, peeling more than 160,300 tonnes of them in 1995. Much of the fruit is initially brought as altar offerings for ancestral spirits and gods.

The Cheung Sha Wan Wholesale Market, one of the Asia’s largest fresh-food wholesale markets covering 100,000 square metres.

Hong Kong’s Fire Services Department provides one of the biggest fire brigades in the world with almost 7,300 uniformed officers and 71 stations including 6 fireboats.

One of the world’s lowest rates of smoking - 14.9% of people aged 15 and above in 1993, well below developed countries average of 30%.

Second-highest number of consulates in the world (next to the US) with a total of 100.

The worlds second-racking reclaimer of land after the Netherlands. Total reclamation over the past 100 years is about 4,500 hectares (15 sq miles). The platform site for the new airport at Chek Lap Kok is 1,248 hectares (5 sq miles) - the worlds biggest reclamation project at a cost of HK$9,041billion. The platform also forms the world’s largest single construction site. The largest commercial dredging fleet was used for work on the new airport project which included the world’s largest trailer hopper suction dredger of 140mtrs and a crew of 35.

The Tsing-Ma Bridge will be the world’s heaviest suspension bridge with 55,000 tonnes of steel in 125 deck units.

The second section of the Lantau bridge, the Kap Shui Mun Bridge will be the world’s longest cable-stayed road-and-rail bridge, with a total length of 820metres (2,690ft).

World’s two longest covered outdoor escalator systems are the four-section 227 metre system at the Ocean Park amusement complex and the 800-metre Central District Hillside Escalator Link, a toll free, reversible one-way system which is able to accommodate about 210,000 passengers a day. The two systems probably provide the world’s longest escalator rides.

The Tsing-Ma Bridge will be the world’s heaviest suspension bridge with 55,000 tonnes of steel in 125 deck units.

The Two longest freely-supported escalators in the world carry customers up and down through the glass ceiling above the plaza in Hong Kong Bank’s headquarters in Central.

One of the world’s most extensive upper-level pedestrian walkway networks links many buildings within the Central business district of Hong Kong Island. Several kilometres long, the network of covered walkways and bridges links up with the Central District Hillside Escalator system.

At 78 storeys, the world’s tallest concrete-framed building is North Wan Chai’s Central Plaza.

The world’s second of its kind installation of a free standing roof gave the 12,000 seat Hong Kong Coliseum indoor stadium the striking harbourside design of an inverted pyramid.

The Asia Terminals Ltd container freight stations at Kwai Chung gained recognition in 1996 Guinness Book of Records as the world’s largest multi-level industrial building that is one discrete structure.

Asia’s tallest observation tower soars 72 metres from an Ocean Park site 200metres above sea level.

The world’s largest wall of glass (3,000 sq metres) graces the front of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in North Wan Chai.

A six-storey sign for Nanfang Pharmaceutical Factory’s ‘999’ traditional Chinese medicine is the world’s largest neon advertising sign. Weighing almost 80 tonnes and measuring 111.4 metres by 19 metres, containing more than 13 kms of neon tubing and took six months to erect.

Mass Transit Railway (MTR) one of the world’s busiest underground railways with a 43 route-kilometre and 38 stations and carrying about 2.3 million passengers a day (1995).

The Cross Harbour Tunnel linking Kowloon’s Hung Hom and Hong Kong Island’s Causeway Bay is one of the world’s busiest four-lane road tunnels used by an average of 123,000 vehicles a day (1995).

Hong Kong has the world’s largest fleet of high speed ferries (jetfoils, hydrofoils, hovercraft, catamarans and launches) that zoom to and from neighbouring Macau, China and Hong Kong’s Islands.

Kai Tak airport is the world’s third busiest airport (and Asia’s busiest) in terms of international passengers and second busiest for international air cargo. The new airport at Chek Lap Kok will house the world’s largest stand-alone air cargo handling facility with a capacity to handle up to 2.6 million tonnes a year.

World’s highest per capital ownership of Rolls Royce cars.

Second highest Mercedes Benz market share in the world.

Worlds most valuable automobile licence plate (1944) fetched US$1.7 million.. ‘9’.

Five rail systems are among the worlds oldest transport systems of their kind: Hong Kong Island’s 163 electric trams, which comprise the worlds only all-double-deck tram fleet, and the recently modernised Peak Tram.

The Kowloon Motor Bus Company Ltd (KMB) is believed to be the world’s largest privately-owned bus company in terms of carrying capacity.

China-bound Kowloon Canton Railway (KCR) passengers stream through one of the world’s busiest border-crossing points at Lo Wu Station.

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All personal writings and photographs are copyright and are not to be used without prior permission
©keeweechic 2001-2007

	Worlds Highest per capita users of cellular phones and pagers.
	Hong Kong’s harbour, one of the busiest in the world with some 214,000 arrivals annually
	One of the world’s lowest tax rates at a maximum of 15% for employees with only 2% of the population paying the maximum rate.
	The world’s leading importer of Cognac Brandy.
	Hong Kong public libraries report one of the worlds highest per capital userships.
	Second highest rate of fax penetration with some 270,000 fax and telephone lines.
	Asia’s most popular destinations.
	Third most productive film industry in the world.
	Worlds highest per capita TV. viewership ratio and one of the world’s highest per household TV-set ownership ratios.
	Ocean Park is one of Southeast Asia’s largest oceanarium and fun park on 87 hectares. The Park contains one of the world’s longest and fastest roller coasters and one of the world’s largest capacity cable-car systems designated to carry 4,000 people per hour in each direction. Asia’s first and largest water playpark, Water World which is part of the Ocean Park complex. The world’s largest reef aquarium , the Atoll Reef at Ocean Park holds 2.2 million litres of water and more than 5,000 fish.
	Possibly the world’s highest ratio of restaurants and café’s.
	Worlds largest indoor Chinese restaurant, the Ocean City Restaurant and Nightclub in Tsim Sha Tsui catering for more than 6,000 people at one time on its 7,2000 square metre premises.
	World’s largest floating restaurants, Jumbo and Sea Palace moored in Aberdeen harbour.
	World’s largest Japanese-style nightclub, Club Bboss, in Tsim Sha Tsui East occupying 6,5000 sqm.
	In 1995 25 of the world’s 50 busiest McDonald’s restaurants are located in Hong Kong.
	Hong Kong Zoological & Botanical Gardens established in 1861 is among the world’s leading breeding centres for endangered species. The bird collection is one of the most comprehensive in Asia.
	Worlds tallest, outdoor, seated bronze Buddha statue on Lantau Island. 34 metres high, 250 tonne.
	The Concert Hall at the Cultural Centre boasts a 93-stop, 8,000 pipe Austrian organ, the largest pipe organ in Southeast Asia.
	The world’s professional Chinese instrument orchestra with 85 members using tradition and modern Chinese musical instruments.
	Worlds most comprehensive collection of Yixing tea ware in what may be the world’s only substantial Museum of Tea Ware.
	Royal Hong Kong Police Force is one of the oldest police forces in the world, formed in 1842 with a total strength of 35 men. The current force of 28,000 full time officers means there are 450 officers for every 100,000 people, one of the worlds highest ratios.
	One of the safest cities in the world

	Along with the Japanese, Hong Kong has one of the highest life expectancies in the world with an average age of 79 years
	Hong Kong infants grow up in a territory with one of the world’s highest literacy rates.
	Highest consumers of protein according to United Nations Food & Agriculture Organisation.
	Probably one of the world’s leading per capita consumer of oranges, peeling more than 160,300 tonnes of them in 1995. Much of the fruit is initially brought as altar offerings for ancestral spirits and gods.
	The Cheung Sha Wan Wholesale Market, one of the Asia’s largest fresh-food wholesale markets covering 100,000 square metres.
	Hong Kong’s Fire Services Department provides one of the biggest fire brigades in the world with almost 7,300 uniformed officers and 71 stations including 6 fireboats.
	One of the world’s lowest rates of smoking - 14.9% of people aged 15 and above in 1993, well below developed countries average of 30%.
	Second-highest number of consulates in the world (next to the US) with a total of 100.
	The worlds second-racking reclaimer of land after the Netherlands. Total reclamation over the past 100 years is about 4,500 hectares (15 sq miles). The platform site for the new airport at Chek Lap Kok is 1,248 hectares (5 sq miles) - the worlds biggest reclamation project at a cost of HK$9,041billion. The platform also forms the world’s largest single construction site. The largest commercial dredging fleet was used for work on the new airport project which included the world’s largest trailer hopper suction dredger of 140mtrs and a crew of 35.
	The Tsing-Ma Bridge will be the world’s heaviest suspension bridge with 55,000 tonnes of steel in 125 deck units.
	The second section of the Lantau bridge, the Kap Shui Mun Bridge will be the world’s longest cable-stayed road-and-rail bridge, with a total length of 820metres (2,690ft).
	World’s two longest covered outdoor escalator systems are the four-section 227 metre system at the Ocean Park amusement complex and the 800-metre Central District Hillside Escalator Link, a toll free, reversible one-way system which is able to accommodate about 210,000 passengers a day. The two systems probably provide the world’s longest escalator rides.
	The Tsing-Ma Bridge will be the world’s heaviest suspension bridge with 55,000 tonnes of steel in 125 deck units.
	The Two longest freely-supported escalators in the world carry customers up and down through the glass ceiling above the plaza in Hong Kong Bank’s headquarters in Central.
	One of the world’s most extensive upper-level pedestrian walkway networks links many buildings within the Central business district of Hong Kong Island. Several kilometres long, the network of covered walkways and bridges links up with the Central District Hillside Escalator system.
	At 78 storeys, the world’s tallest concrete-framed building is North Wan Chai’s Central Plaza.
	The world’s second of its kind installation of a free standing roof gave the 12,000 seat Hong Kong Coliseum indoor stadium the striking harbourside design of an inverted pyramid.
	The Asia Terminals Ltd container freight stations at Kwai Chung gained recognition in 1996 Guinness Book of Records as the world’s largest multi-level industrial building that is one discrete structure.
	Asia’s tallest observation tower soars 72 metres from an Ocean Park site 200metres above sea level.
	The world’s largest wall of glass (3,000 sq metres) graces the front of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in North Wan Chai.
	A six-storey sign for Nanfang Pharmaceutical Factory’s ‘999’ traditional Chinese medicine is the world’s largest neon advertising sign. Weighing almost 80 tonnes and measuring 111.4 metres by 19 metres, containing more than 13 kms of neon tubing and took six months to erect.
	Mass Transit Railway (MTR) one of the world’s busiest underground railways with a 43 route-kilometre and 38 stations and carrying about 2.3 million passengers a day (1995).
	The Cross Harbour Tunnel linking Kowloon’s Hung Hom and Hong Kong Island’s Causeway Bay is one of the world’s busiest four-lane road tunnels used by an average of 123,000 vehicles a day (1995).
	Hong Kong has the world’s largest fleet of high speed ferries (jetfoils, hydrofoils, hovercraft, catamarans and launches) that zoom to and from neighbouring Macau, China and Hong Kong’s Islands.
	Kai Tak airport is the world’s third busiest airport (and Asia’s busiest) in terms of international passengers and second busiest for international air cargo. The new airport at Chek Lap Kok will house the world’s largest stand-alone air cargo handling facility with a capacity to handle up to 2.6 million tonnes a year.
	World’s highest per capital ownership of Rolls Royce cars.
	Second highest Mercedes Benz market share in the world.
	Worlds most valuable automobile licence plate (1944) fetched US$1.7 million.. ‘9’.
	Five rail systems are among the worlds oldest transport systems of their kind: Hong Kong Island’s 163 electric trams, which comprise the worlds only all-double-deck tram fleet, and the recently modernised Peak Tram.
	The Kowloon Motor Bus Company Ltd (KMB) is believed to be the world’s largest privately-owned bus company in terms of carrying capacity.
	China-bound Kowloon Canton Railway (KCR) passengers stream through one of the world’s busiest border-crossing points at Lo Wu Station.