The Chinese flag dates to Oct. 1, 1949. The red is for communism and the Han Chinese. The large star was originally for the Communist Party, and the smaller stars were for the proletariat, the peasants, the petty bourgeoisie, and the "patriotic capitalists." The large star was later said to stand for China, the smaller stars for minorities.

Hong Kong Official name: Xianggang (Chinese); Hong Kong (English). Political status: Special Administrative Region (People's Republic of China) with one legislative house (Legislative Council [60]). Head of state and government: Chief Executive. Population (1998): 6,660,000. Population projection: (2000) 6,833,000; (2010) 7,701,000. Natural increase rate per 1,000 population (1996): 5.1 (world avg. 15.7). Gross domestic product (1996): U.S.$153,288,000,000 (U.S.$24,290 per capita). Land use (1995): forested 20.1%; agricultural and under permanent cultivation 5.8%; fishponds 1.5%; built-on, scrublands, and other 72.6%.