Hong Kong: What's Changed, What Hasn't

What Hasn't Changed

Global Competitiveness

Contrary to dire predictions, Hong Kong hasn't yet lost its economic edge to cheaper cities on the mainland or to cleaner, more orderly Singapore. In fact, the territory's economy is stronger than it was before the handover. Unemployment is low, while GDP growth remains steady. In 1997, Hong Kong had the world's eighth largest stock market; today, it has the sixth. And for the 13th time, the city came in first in the U.S.-based Heritage Foundation's ranking of the world's freest economies.

—by Peter Ritter

• Hong Kong, China
• Timeline: Hong Kong, 1997-2007