Global Studies Courses 2010-11

BUSI798C
Doing Business in China: The Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macau

The theme of the trip of Hong Kong and Macau is to learn about business practices in Hong Kong. We plan to visit establishment specializing in a diverse set of businesses. Specifically, we plan to meet with organizations such as: law firms dealing with business litigation risks, garment manufacturers, service outlets, real estate firms, banking, investment houses, universities, and entertainment industry. The trip will span about 10 days, taking a flight to Hong Kong, then visit the entertainment industry in Macau (about 45 minutes from Hong Kong via ferry), and leave out of Hong Kong. There will be several avenues for combining entertainment with business visits. The tentative plan is to have arrival in Hong Kong on January 9th (Sunday) and depart January 19 (Wednesday) back to the US. There will be 2 four hours instruction meeting before the trip and one upon return. This is a 4 credit class.

Hong Kong and Macau

In the shadows of mountains and towers, Hong Kong goes about its business and is renowned for its independent spirit, wealth and industriousness. Hong Kong's unique mix of East and West creates a special and very modern city. Comprised of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, the New Territories and the Outer Islands, the Hong Kong Special Administration Region (SAR), the region is full of bustling businesses, crowded street markets and luxury malls, and people dining in steamy dim sum eateries.

On Hong Kong Island, skyscrapers rise against a backdrop of green peaks and ridges, with Victoria Peak providing a natural backdrop to architectural landmarks such as I.M. Pei's Bank of China Tower, the modular HSBC Building and the elegant International Finance Centre. Across Victoria Harbor, Kowloon competes for attention with the International Commerce Centre -- the tallest building in the SAR upon completion in 2010 — and tempting consumers with brands and bargains galore in Tsim Sha Tsui.

Macau is now known as an entertainment and tourism center, easily accessible by ferry. The island also exports large quantities or toys and textiles. As a special administrative region, it maintains its own currency, police force and judicial system, and immigration system.

History

Hong Kong has been a major trading center since at least 221 BC when the Qin Dynasty (221 BC -206 BC) brought it under its rule, and by the time of the Tang Dynasty (618-907) Hong Kong had become a significant trading and military outpost, benefiting from its strategic position near the Pearl River Delta and proximity to Guangzhou (Canton). In 1841, the growing port of Hong Kong and its valuable deep-water harbor were handed over to the British as a result of concessions wrested from the Qing Dynasty after the First Opium War. After the Second Opium War in 1860, Kowloon Peninsula was ceded to Britain and in 1898 the New Territories were leased to the United Kingdom for 99 years.

In 1984 the Chinese and British Governments signed the Joint Declaration that would return the territory to China effective July 1, 1997. Under the Chinese slogan "One Country, Two Systems," Hong Kong largely retains its own economic and social systems, as well as a good deal of its colonial British character.

Macau was the first and last colony in China. Owned and operated by Portugal, the island was a major trade hub in the mid-1500s. When Macau was returned to China December 20, 1999 it was one of the most densely populated areas of the world and the area remains popular as a place to live, work and play.