In this article, we will explore the topic of Central, Hong Kong in depth, analyzing its origins, its relevance today, and its impact on different areas of society. Central, Hong Kong has aroused great interest in the public, sparking debates and discussions around its implications and consequences. Through a multidisciplinary approach, we will examine all aspects related to Central, Hong Kong, from its history to its possible future developments, with the aim of providing a comprehensive and updated view on this topic that has attracted so much attention in recent years.
Central | |||||||||||||||
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Traditional Chinese | 中環 | ||||||||||||||
Simplified Chinese | 中环 | ||||||||||||||
Cantonese Yale | Jūng Wàahn | ||||||||||||||
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Central (also Central District) is the central business district of Hong Kong. It is located in the northeastern corner of the Central and Western District, on the north shore of Hong Kong Island, across Victoria Harbour from Tsim Sha Tsui, the southernmost point of Kowloon Peninsula. The area was the heart of Victoria City, although that name is rarely used today.
As the central business district of Hong Kong, it is the area where many multinational financial services corporations have their headquarters. Consulates general and consulates of many countries are also located in this area, as is Government Hill, the site of the government headquarters until 2011. The area, with its proximity to Victoria Harbour, has served as the centre of trade and financial activities from the earliest days of the British colonial era in 1841, and continues to flourish and serve as the place of administration after the handover to China in 1997.
The area of Chung Wan (aka Choong Wan in the past; 中環), named Central in English, was one of the districts (四環九約) in Victoria City. The English name Central became prevalent after the Island line of the MTR metro system was built in the early 1980s,[citation needed] and the connected stations of Pedder and Chater renamed as Central. On some older maps, it and the area to its west are named Kwan Tai Lo (羣帶路) below Victoria Peak. It formed a channel, Chung Mun (中門), with Tsim Sha Tsui, on the sea route along the coast of southern China. The eastern part of Central District has been known as Admiralty since the completion of Admiralty station in the early 1980s.[citation needed]
Central is located on the north shore of Hong Kong Island, across Victoria Harbour from Tsim Sha Tsui, the southernmost point of Kowloon Peninsula. It is bordered in the west by Sheung Wan, with the border being along Aberdeen Street (also called Wing Kut Street). It is bordered in the east by Admiralty, an eastern extension of the central business district. As such, Admiralty is sometimes considered a part of Central. Central is bordered in the south by Mid-Levels, an area halfway up Victoria Peak. The boundary between Central and Mid-Levels is not clearly defined.
For district council elections purposes, the area, together with Admiralty, correspond roughly to the "Chung Wan" constituency. The boundaries of such constituencies may be subject to modification.
The British landed on Possession Point of Sheung Wan in 1841. They soon decided to build a city on the north coast of Hong Kong Island, and the present-day Central was chosen to house major military facilities and an administrative centre. The area soon attracted both Westerners and Chinese to trade and live in the area, and a Canton Bazaar (precursor of Central Market) was built between Cochrane Street and Graham Street in 1842. The area was soon zoned for Westerners only, and the Chinese residents were restricted to Sheung Wan. . The area was largely dominated by the presence of Victoria City. The popularity of this area would also boost the population of Hong Kong from 5,000 in 1841 to 24,000 in 1848. Government House and other Hong Kong Government buildings were completed during this period on Government Hill. Various barracks, naval bases and the residence of Commander, Flagstaff House were built on the east end of the district. Between 1860 and 1880 the construction of City Hall, Theatre Royal and other financial structures made Central the heart of Hong Kong.[citation needed]
In 1904, the Praya Reclamation Scheme added 59 acres (24 ha) of land to Central's waterfront. Many of the proposals came from Sir Paul Chater and James Johnstone Keswick, the founders of Hongkong Land. During the 1920s, Hong Kong was able to push far ahead economically, because of the cohesive collaboration between Central and all waterfront commerce.[citation needed]
The military structures survived until the 1980s. Only Flagstaff House remains as Museum of Tea Ware in Hong Kong Park. City Hall sat on the present premises of the HSBC Hong Kong headquarters. Hong Kong's first road, Queen's Road, passes through the area and the business centre continued to expand toward the shoreline as far as the reclaimed lands.[citation needed]
Central has been the site of a number of major political protests. From October 2011 to September 2012, the Occupy Central movement against global economic inequality was based in front of the HSBC Main Building. Two years later, in September 2014, democratic activists initiated Occupy Central with Love and Peace, demanding universal suffrage for the election of the Chief Executive of Hong Kong, eventually contributing to the Umbrella Revolution.
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (September 2011) |
There are many Grade-A commercial buildings in Central, a prime commercial district in Hong Kong.
Bank of China (Hong Kong) has its head office in the Bank of China Tower. The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, a subsidiary of HSBC, has its head office in the HSBC Main Building. Bank of East Asia and Hang Seng Bank have their head offices in Central. Chu Kong Passenger Transport is headquartered in the Chu Kong Shipping Tower (珠江船務大廈) in Central. The head office of New World Development is in the New World Tower in Central. HKR International has its head office in Shun Tak Centre.
Before 1999, Cathay Pacific had its head office in the Swire House in Central. In 1999, the airline relocated its head office to the Hong Kong International Airport.
Nord Anglia Education, which operates international schools in various countries, formerly had its head office in Central. The head office moved to Hong Kong in 2012. In 2018 the company announced it was returning its head office to the United Kingdom.
Central, together with Tsim Sha Tsui and Tsim Sha Tsui East, is home to many hotels.
It provides alternative options for those who do not want to stay in Hotels, but looking for flexible lease terms, below are some examples:
Central is in Primary One Admission (POA) School Net 11. Within the school net are multiple aided schools (operated independently but funded with government money) and the following government schools: Bonham Road Government Primary School and Li Sing Primary School (李陞小學).
The area is a major transport hub for Hong Kong (see also Transport in Hong Kong).
Climate data for Hong Kong Park (2011–2020) Extremes (2008–present) Sunshine hours (2017–2021) | |||||||||||||
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Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °C (°F) | 28.4 (83.1) |
27.9 (82.2) |
30.9 (87.6) |
32.3 (90.1) |
35.8 (96.4) |
34.8 (94.6) |
36.0 (96.8) |
36.1 (97.0) |
35.8 (96.4) |
34.2 (93.6) |
32.0 (89.6) |
29.0 (84.2) |
36.1 (97.0) |
Mean maximum °C (°F) | 25.3 (77.5) |
26.4 (79.5) |
28.3 (82.9) |
30.4 (86.7) |
33.2 (91.8) |
34.1 (93.4) |
34.8 (94.6) |
35.2 (95.4) |
34.2 (93.6) |
32.1 (89.8) |
29.6 (85.3) |
26.4 (79.5) |
35.5 (95.9) |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 19.6 (67.3) |
20.0 (68.0) |
22.3 (72.1) |
25.8 (78.4) |
29.0 (84.2) |
31.2 (88.2) |
31.8 (89.2) |
31.8 (89.2) |
31.0 (87.8) |
28.6 (83.5) |
25.5 (77.9) |
21.1 (70.0) |
26.5 (79.7) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | 16.5 (61.7) |
17.0 (62.6) |
19.4 (66.9) |
22.9 (73.2) |
26.4 (79.5) |
28.5 (83.3) |
28.7 (83.7) |
28.6 (83.5) |
27.8 (82.0) |
25.6 (78.1) |
22.7 (72.9) |
18.0 (64.4) |
23.5 (74.3) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 14.3 (57.7) |
14.9 (58.8) |
17.3 (63.1) |
20.8 (69.4) |
24.4 (75.9) |
26.5 (79.7) |
26.5 (79.7) |
26.2 (79.2) |
25.6 (78.1) |
23.4 (74.1) |
20.7 (69.3) |
15.7 (60.3) |
21.4 (70.5) |
Mean minimum °C (°F) | 8.8 (47.8) |
9.8 (49.6) |
12.8 (55.0) |
16.6 (61.9) |
20.3 (68.5) |
23.7 (74.7) |
24.2 (75.6) |
23.7 (74.7) |
23.5 (74.3) |
19.9 (67.8) |
15.6 (60.1) |
9.7 (49.5) |
7.9 (46.2) |
Record low °C (°F) | 2.9 (37.2) |
6.7 (44.1) |
8.4 (47.1) |
13.6 (56.5) |
16.7 (62.1) |
20.3 (68.5) |
22.2 (72.0) |
22.6 (72.7) |
22.2 (72.0) |
15.0 (59.0) |
10.0 (50.0) |
5.8 (42.4) |
2.9 (37.2) |
Mean monthly sunshine hours | 157.8 | 136.6 | 141.3 | 149.9 | 159.7 | 146.0 | 202.2 | 163.6 | 197.4 | 198.7 | 182.6 | 168.0 | 2,003.8 |
Source: Hong Kong Observatory |
Company Address: 22/F.,Chu Kong Shipping Tower, 143 Connaught Road Central, Hong Kong– Traditional Chinese: "香港干諾道中一四三號珠江船務大廈22字樓" , Simplified Chinese: "香港干诺道中一四三号珠江船务大厦22字楼"
30/F, New World Tower, 18 Queen's Road, Central, Hong Kong– Traditional Chinese address: "香港中環皇后大道中18號新世界大廈30樓", Simplified Chinese address: "香港中环皇后大道中18号新世界大厦30楼"
Mail HKR International Limited 23/F, China Merchants Tower Shun Tak Centre 168 Connaught Road Central Hong Kong- Traditional Chinese: "香港干諾道中168號 信德中心招商局大廈23樓", Simplified Chinese: "香港干诺道中168号 信德中心招商局大厦23楼"