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Hong Kong, located on the southeastern coast of China, was a British colony from 1842 to 1997 when its sovereignty was transferred to China.

Hong Kong is governed as a Special Administrative Region of China. Under the terms of the Sino-British Joint Declaration, China has promised to give Hong Kong a relatively high degree of autonomy for at least 50 years after the transfer of sovereignty.
Under the "One Country, Two Systems" policy, Hong Kong retains its own legal system, currency, customs policy, cultural delegation, international sport teams, and immigration laws. China represents Hong Kong only in foreign affairs and defense.

For a more detailed country profile, see CIA World Factbook on Hong Kong.