Hong Kong

Hong Kong was a former British colony, which was handed over to Communist China in the late 1990s. Hong Kong is known for its excellent harbour, and was one of a series of Asian "tigers", i.e. small entities which became very economically successful in the post-war period. Because of its position next to Red China, much of its population were refugees from there, and it was used to monitor the place as well. Since its absorption into the PRC, Hong Kong has retained some autonomy, although this is in question and it has become overshadowed by the rise of Chinese cities such as Shanghai. It no longer remains part of the Commonwealth.

The majority of the Hong Kong population were ethnic Chinese, who spoke Cantonese. There was a significant white minority and other notable populations from India and the Philippines. After the handover to China, many people, both Chinese and white, left to go to freer countries.

James Bond is "killed" in Hong Kong at the start of You Only Live Twice.

Bond is also there in The Man with the Golden Gun where he goes to a secret base inside the wrecked RMS Queen Elizabeth in the harbour.

Bond also appears hospitalized in an MI6 ship docked in Hong Kong. He escapes it and heads to a hotel the Royal Rubyeon Hotel in Die Another Day.

During the transfer of Sovereignty, Raoul Silva was imprisoned in Hong Kong as part of a prisoner exchange. M was the head of station there.