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<P><JC><B>CIA Factbook 2048: Hong Kong</B>
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<P>Economic Overview: In the decades since Hong Kong has been returned to Chinese control it has seen its economy thrive under the gradually increasing authority of the Chinese central government.  Led by a thriving technological market in human augmentation technology, the real GDP has peaked every year since 2041 with all forecasting models predicting that this trend will continue well into the next decade if not beyond.
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<P>However, the statistics do not present an entirely accurate depiction of the state of the Hong Kong economy as they fail to depict the flourishing gray and black market that operates with at least the tacit approval of the local authorities.  While political oppression continues to present a major and ongoing problem to those living under Chinese rule, entrepreneurism is alive and well in the form of organized crime -- as has always been the case, anything and everything can be had for a price in Hong Kong.  Many of these criminal organizations can trace their lineage directly to the Triads that have existed for thousands of years throughout China and Southeast Asia.
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<P>In accordance to the Sino-British Joint Declaration that was signed in December 1984, the way of life in Hong Kong was to remain unchanged for a period of 50 years. Many aspects, mainly related to the judicial and executive proceedings, have drastically changed in this time. The new agreement between the mainland and the Special Administrative Region was signed in February 2046 prolonged this period for 10 years with the introduction of opening the regional branch of the Ministry of Public Security in the city being the most prominent and controversial addition.