Edward Snowden, Hong Kong and Financial Control

Hong Kong became a colony of the British Empire after the First Opium War (1839–42). Originally confined to Hong Kong Island, the colony's boundaries were extended in stages to the Kowloon Peninsula in 1860 and then the New Territories in 1898. It was occupied by Japan during the Pacific War, after which the British resumed control until 1997, when China resumed sovereignty

Under the principle of "one country, two systems", Hong Kong has a different political system from mainland China.[18] Hong Kong's independent judiciary functions under the common law framework.[19][20] Hong Kong Basic Law, its constitutional document, which stipulates that Hong Kong shall have a "high degree of autonomy" in all matters except foreign relations and military defence, governs its political system.[21][22] Although it has a burgeoning multi-party system, a small-circle electorate controls half of its legislature. The head of the government, Chief Executive of Hong Kong is chosen by an Election Committee of 400 to 1,200 members, a situation that will be in effect during the first 20 years of Chinese rule.[23][24][25]

As one of the world's leading international financial centres, Hong Kong has a major capitalist service economy characterised by low taxation and free trade, and the currency, Hong Kong dollar, is the eighth most traded currency in the world

The Guardian interests me. A British newspaper who is losing money hand over fist but can stay afloat. A trust that is not a trust. Leakers of US secrets and no one questions? Lot of big names in that group.

So who controls Hong Kong financially?

Think GLP, think...

so what is it??

Great thread!

Gateway zone.. Makes sense.