I. Data in this chapter show main social and economic developments of the Hong Kong Special Adminis trative Region,
including data on land, population, employment, national income, Balance of Payments account, industry, energy,
construction, transportation, external trade, finance and banking, education, hous ing, health and social security.

II. All data in this chapter are provided by the Census and Statistics Department, the Government of the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region, and refer to thos e releas ed up to end July 2003. They are further tabulated or edited by the
International Statis tical Information Centre of the National Bureau of Statistics.

III. According to the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, Hong Kong
Special Administrative Region maintains its independent statistical sys tem, and compiles and diss eminates s tatistics on
the Region. As Hong Kong and the mainland of China use different statistical concepts, definitions and terminologies, us ers
are advised to make reference of the following materials when using and comparing data of the mainland of China and the
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region:

1. A Comparison of Common Statistical Terms Used in China Statistical Yearbook and Publications Compiled by the Census
and Statis tics Department, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, which listed s imilar statistical
concepts using different terms.

2. The Explanatory Note at the end of this chapter which gives explanation on important s tatis tical indicators.

IV. As the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is a separate cus toms territory, merchandise trade between Hong Kong
and the mainland of China needs customs declaration procedures. As regards Hong Kong's trade in services with the
mainland of China, they are treated as external transactions. As such, data on Hong Kong's external trade, irrespective of
whether they refer to merchandise trade or trade in s ervices, include Hong Kong's trade with the mainland of China.

V. As HK dollar is the legal tender in the Hong Kong Special Adminis trative Region, all other currencies (including Renminbi)
are regarded as foreign currencies in compiling foreign exchange statistics and related statistics.

VI. For more detailed statistics and technical details, users are advised to read the "Hong Kong Monthly Digest of Statistics",
the "Hong Kong Annual Digest of Statistics " and other publications compiled by the Census and Statis tics Department, the
Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

VII. Notations used in this chapter: "-" indicates not applicable. "(blank)" indicates not available.