Scott No: 2741-44
Serial number: 1996-31
Values in set: 4
Date of issue: December 19, 1996
Designers: Yan Bingwu; Guo Chenghui;
Huang Li
Size: 50*30mm
Perforation: 12
Sheet composition: 42
Printing process: offset

Hong Kong borders on the South China Sea and is near the Chinese mainland. Situated on the important navigation line of the Pacific and the Indian Oceans, it is the economic centre of the Asian and Pacific region. Benefiting from ideal geographical conditions, special opportunities brought by the world economic situation and its own realistic economic policies, Hong Kong has witnessed a rapid economic growth in the past several decades. As one of "Asia's four small tigers", Hong Kong is the world-famous centre of finance, trade ,shipping and information. Finance and trade have become the economic pillars propping up Hong Kong's prosperity and development. In 1995, Hong Kong's local product output totaled HK$111,1.39 billion and the per capita local product output was $23,019, higher than that of such advanced countries, as Britain, Canada and Australia, ranking second in Asia. Hong Kong has become the world's third largest banking centre, first cargo container port, fourth gold market, sixth foreign exchange market and seventh stock market.

Hong Kong's financial industry, which is considered as the "nerve centre"of Hong Kong's economic activities, has produced the banking system, financial market system and management system, and management system compatible with their international counterparts. Of the 100 largest banks in the world, 85 operate in Hong Kong is next only to London and New York, ranking third in the world. In 1995, shares of more than 530 companies went public in Hong Kong and Hong Kong became the second largest stock market in the Asian and Pacific region. Thriving import and export trade has laid a solid foundation for Hong Kong's economic development and created a steady source of income. For many years Hong Kong's exports of garments, toys, watches and clocks have often ranked first in the world. As one of the international transport centres, Hong Kong has the Kwai Chung Container Terminal and the Hong Kong Kai Tak Airport, the most busily engaged terminal and airport in the world and got the title of "the world's first cargo container port" for 4 years successively.

Hong Kong will maintain its prosperity and development after 1997 when it comes back to its motherland