Usenet 1994 October/usenetsourcesnewsgroupsinfomagicoctober1994disk1.iso/answers/hongkong-faq/part1

Text File | 1993-11-18 | 46KB | 1,135 lines

Newsgroups: soc.culture.hongkong,news.answers
Path: senator-bedfellow.mit.edu!bloom-beacon.mit.edu!gatech!howland.reston.ans.net!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!psinntp!jho!news
From: [e-mail] (Anthony S Chow)
Subject: soc.culture.hongkong FAQ, Part I (General)
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Summary: This posting contains a list of Frequently Asked Questions (and
    their answers) on the soc.culture.hongkong.  Please read this posting
    before posting to the newsgroup.
Sender: [e-mail] (Anthony S Chow)
Reply-To: [e-mail] (Anthony S Chow)
Organization: JHO Company, Dallas, Texas USA
Date: Thu, 18 Nov 1993 15:21:42 GMT
Approved: [e-mail]
Lines: 1118
Xref: senator-bedfellow.mit.edu soc.culture.hongkong:54319 news.answers:14842

Archive-name: hongkong-faq/part1
Last-modified:  Mon Oct  4 10:25:06 CDT 1993
Version: 2.1


                              O F F I C I A L

           F R E Q U E N T L Y   A S K E D   Q U E S T I O N S (FAQ)

                                   FOR

                            soc.culture.hongkong


                         PART I - GENERAL QUESTIONS


If you have any questions regarding addition/deletion/modification
to this FAQ, please contact Anthony Chow at "[e-mail]".
Your comments will be appreciated.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TABLE OF CONTENTS:

   0) TOPICS: HISTORY OF soc.culture.hongkong
   1)     What is soc.culture.hongkong?
   2-9)   (reserved)

  10) TOPICS: GENERAL INFORMATION
  11)     How to access SCHK?
  12)     How do I get the lastest version of this FAQ?
  13)     How do I receive the lastest HK news?
  14)     Are there any other Chinese networks?
  15)     How do I find a job in HK?
  16)     Can someone recommend a recruiting company in HK for me?
  17)     How do I renew my passport?
  18)     What are the differences between the BNO/BDTC passport?
  19)     Do I need a passport to visit UK?
  20)     Are there any short wave radio station from HK?
  21)     Is it cheaper to buy a PC in HK?
  22)     How do I wire money to Hong Kong from the US?
  23-349) (reserved)

 350) TOPICS: TRAVELLING, DOING BUSINESS AND RETURNING TO HK
 351)     Where can I find the lowest air fare to HK?
 352)     Courier service, anyone?
 353)     Which is a good travel book to read?
 354)     What can I do in HK?
 355)     Where can I go in HK?
 356)     Where can I shop for computers in HK?
 357)     Where can I shop for cameras in HK?
 358)     Where can I find more information before I start the trip?
 359)     Which hotel should I book?
 360)     Are there any other sources?
 361)     What is HKTDC?
 362)     Where is the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office?
 363)     Where is the American Chamber of Commerce in HK?
 364)     Can I bring a celluar phone to Hong Kong?
 365)      Is there any youth hostel in Hong Kong?
 366)     Where are all the British Counsolate-General?
 367-399) (reserved)

 400) TOPICS: CDs/BOOKs/MAGAZINEs/VIDEOs
 401)     Where can I buy the lastest CDs/Books/Magazines?
 402)     How do I subscribe to Chinese newspapaers?
 403)     Is there any mail order place for these items?
 404)      Why can't I watch HK video tapes in the US/Canada?
 405)     What should I do when I receive a PAL tape from HK?
 406)     Are there any free HK magazines?
 407)     How do I subscribe to the South China Morning Post?
 408)      Where do I buy Computer Science books?
 409)     Where do I purchase publication from the Hong Kong Government?
 410-549) (reserved)

 550) TOPICS: GATHERINGS/LOCAL GROUPS
 551)     Anybody out there from XYZ Secondary School?
 552)     How can I start an e-mail alumni association?
 553)     Are there any local gathering groups?
 554-700) (reserved)

 700) TOPICS: LEGENDS
 701)     Who is Deanna?
 702)     Who is Jan?
 703-999) (reserved)


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0) TOPICS: HISTORY OF soc.culture.hongkong(SCHK)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1)      What is soc.culture.hongkong?

    In April, 1989, Wilson Ho, then a graduate student from UC Davis
and a small group of Hong Kong (HK) students studying in the United
States got together and formed an e-mail mailing list called HKNET.
It did not take long before the number of memebrs (more than 800)
outgrown the capability of the mail relay server.  Same year,
Fred Ho from University of Waterloo in Waterloo, Canada
started the newsgroup creation process for soc.culture.hongkong (SCHK)
The first posting went out on July 28, 1989.

    The original intent was to off-load the more serious
topics (such as news, announcements, etc.) from HKnet to SCHK, and
keep the more "light weight" casual conversations in HKnet.  As
it turned out, it was exactly the opposite.  Today, HKnet carries
almost exclusively news from HK and China, and announcement from
Chinese organizations.  SCHK, on the other hand, has evolved to
become an on-line meeting place and discussion forum for netters
with HK background or interests to make friends and to receive
lastest news from HK.  Today, there are estimated 35,000 netters in
SCHK worldwide.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-9)    (reserved)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10) TOPICS: GENERAL INFORMATION
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11)     How to access SCHK?

    The fact that you are reading this FAQ implies you get
some form of connections to SCHK, either your friend has access
or you just accidentally step into this wonderland.  The best way
for you to access SCHK is through USENET, you can ask your friend
or your system administrators and find out if your local site has
news connection.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12)     How do I get the lastest version of this FAQ?

    If you have ftp (File Transport Protocol) access, the latest
version can be retrieved as /pub/usenet/news.answers/hongkong-faq
from rtfm.mit.edu, or, try (but please don't
abuse mail servers, there has been history of mail servers taken down
because of excessive load)---sending an email message to
[e-mail] with "help" and "index"
(only, because the daemon reads and responds to your
message) in the body on separate lines for more information.
Other archives are---cnam.cnam.fr [192.33.159.6] in /pub/FAQ;
ftp.uu.net [137.39.1.9 or 192.48.96.9] in /pub/usenet;
ftp.cs.ruu.nl [131.211.80.17] in the anonymous ftp directory
NEWS.ANSWERS.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13)     How do I receive the lastest Hong Kong (HK) news?

    The Alliance of Hong Kong Chinese in the US (AHKCUS) maintains
a mailing list called "[e-mail]" which are mainly articles
from major news wires with news clipping primiarily focused in HK,
China and Taiwan.  You can add your name to the AHKCUS Hong Kong News
mailing list by sending a request to "[e-mail]".

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14)     Are there any other Chinese networks?

    The Alliance of Hong Kong Chinese in the US (AHKCUS) maintains
a mailing list for its members and people who are insterested in the
democracy and human rights in Hong Kong and China.

    Hong Kong Net (HKNet) can be reached by sending mail to
"[e-mail]" or "[e-mail]".  Please mail all
posting to HKnet to "[e-mail]".

    South East Asia Online is a free mailing list with interests
in Southeastern Asia.  It covers areas from Burma/Myanmar to HK, Malaysia,
Singapore, Indonesia and Australia.  To subscribe, mail to
"[e-mail]" or "[e-mail]" with a one line message
"SUB SEASIA-L <your real-name>".  The service is made possible with
the support of the Center for Asian Studies at Michigan State.

    China News Digest is a regular posting of lastest China news in
an on-line magazine format. To subscribe or get info,  mail to:
"[e-mail]" or if you want to contribute, you can
send your mail to: "[e-mail]".

    China Study Forum can be reached at "[e-mail]"

    China Study Forum - Books review can be reached at
"[e-mail]".

    HXWZ is a weekly electronic magazine in the Chinese language
published by China News Digest (CND).  To subscribe to CND Chinese Magazine:
Send mail to  "[e-mail]" with a one line message,
"sub CCMAN-L <full name>".  To quit from CND Chinese Magazine:
Send mail to "[e-mail]" with a one line message "unsub CCMAN-L".
For more information, please contact "[e-mail]" and please
include a one line message, "GET CMHELP INDEX".  The BITNET node name
UGA.BITNET is equivalent to internet "uga.uga.edu".

    Don't forget to check out soc.culture.china, soc.culture.taiwan,
soc.culture.asean, talk.politics.china, talk.politics.taiwan and
alt.chinese.text.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
15)     How do I find a job in HK?

    There is a brochure "Returning To Hong Kong" published
by the American Chamber of Commerce in HK.  It is targeted towards
students studying in the US who are planning to return to HK after
graduation.  They also publish books like "Hong Kong Employment
Guide 1991," "Doing Business in Today's HK," "Living in HK," etc.
The publications are available by sending request to AmCham
HK center.  Their address is:

    1030 Swire House Central, HK.

    Ph: [phone]/[phone]/(fax)[phone]

    [e-mail] (Terry Kwan) regularly posts the
list of prime jobs from the Higher Education Employment Service (HEES).
You can also write to HEES and ask them to send a copy to your
school CSA.  Their address is:

    Higher Education Employment Service
    Labour Dept.
    6/F Harbour Building
    38 Pier Road, Central, HK
    Ph: 523232

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
16)     Can someone recommend a recruiting company in HK for me?

    [e-mail] (Terry Kwan) provided the following
information.  SCHK has no connection with these headhunter firms -
it is listed here for your own reference.  Use it at your own risk:

    Staff Service (HK) Co Ltd.:
        USA                 1-212-332-8000
        Australia           022350800
        Hong Kong           [phone], fax [phone].

    Gemini                      [phone] [phone]
        Suite 508, Shell House, 24/28 Queens's Rd, Central, HK

    AJ                          [phone] [phone]
               Rm1004, Far East Consortium Blg, 204 Nathan Rd, kln, HK

    Asia Progress                   [phone] [phone]
               Rm1642 A, Wire House, 11 Chater Rd, Central, HK

    New City                        [phone] [phone]
               904 Champion Bldg, 289 Des Voeux Rd, HK

    Pak's                           [phone] [phone]
               1710 Lane Crawford House, HK

    Future Light                    [phone] [phone]
               Rm1602, Haleson Blg, 1 Jubilee St, Central, HK

    Willowave                       [phone] [phone]
        15/F, Wing's Blg, 110 Queen's Rd, HK

    Amanda                          [phone] [phone]
        Suite B, 10/F, Cameron Plaza, 23-25A Cameron Rd,
        TsimShaTsui, HK

    Nimble                          [phone] [phone]
        605 Won Hing Blg, 74-78 Stanley Street, central, HK

    Lindy Williams                  [phone]
        702 Double Blg, 22 Stanley St, HK

    Sara Beattie                    [phone] [phone]
        3/F Sun Hing Kai Centre, 30 Harbour Rd, HK

    D&R                             [phone] [phone]
        Rm1004, Park In Com Centre, 56 Dundas St, HK

    Eternal                         [phone] [phone]
        9/F United Chinese Bank Bldg, 31-37 Des Voeux Rd, HK

    Prefect Way                     [phone] [phone]
        Rm 904, Kai Tak Comm Blg, 66-77 Stanley St, Central, HK

    WatNet People                   [phone] [phone]
        10/F Sin Hua Bank Blg, 2 Wellington St, Central, HK

    Arron & Associate               [phone]
    Smart                           [phone] [phone]
    Levin                           [phone] [phone]
    HK Employment & Secretarial     [phone] [phone]
    T&C                             [phone] [phone]
    Everbright                      [phone] [phone]
    Julie's                         [phone] [phone]
    Elton Linda                     [phone] [phone]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
17)     How do I renew my passport?

    In US, you can contact the British Counsel in Washingtin, DC
Their voice number is 1-202-986-0205 and the fax number
is 1-202-797-2929.  Office in other area will no longer handle
passport renewal.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
18)     What are the differences between the BNO/BDTC passport?

                BN(O)                           BDTC
                ---------------------------------------------
- Retention     BN(O) status can be retained    BDTC status cannot be
  of British    retained for life.              retained after
  nationality                                   30 June 1997.

- Validity      10 years from date of issue     cannot be made valid
                of issue.                       beyond 30 VI 1997.

- Replacement   can be replaced both before     cannot be replaced after
                before and after 30 VI 1997.    30 June 1997.

- Right of      will bear an endorsement with   will be an endorsement
  abode         with reference to the holder's  stating the holder's right
                Hong Kong permanent ID card     of abode in Hong Kong.
                stating his rights of abode
                in HK.

- Special       will bear the following         no such endorsement.
  endorsement   endorsement:
                "In accordance with the United
                Kingdom Immigration Rules the
                holder of this passport does
                not require an entry
                certificate or visa to visit
                the United Kingdom."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
19)     Do I need a passport to visit UK?

    Neither BDTC nor BNO passport holders require to obtain
a visa in order to visit the UK for short visits.  However, a visa is
required if they intend to seek employment or follow a course of study.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20)     Are there any short wave radio station from HK?

    No. but if you have a shortwave (Duan3Bo1) radio, you
will hear "the Voice of Free China" (Zi4You2 Zhong1Guo2 zhi1 Sheng1)
broadcasting in Mandarin, Cantonese, English, and Taiwanese
(Min3Nan2Yu3), etc.  In North America try listening around dinner time
on 5950, 9680, 11860 kilohertz; in Europe: 21720, 17750; in Australia:
9765; in Japan: 15345, 7130, 9730, 11745. There are several other
regions/languages it broadcasts to/in. Write: "The Voice of Free
China, P.O.Box 24-38, Taipei, TAIWAN, R.O.C" for a schedule.  (They
don't also tell you the schedule of Zhong1Guang3 Xin1Wen2 Wang3*,
though.  But it uses the same frequencies.)

[Information provided by [e-mail]]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
21)       Is it cheaper to buy a PC in HK?

    A 486-33 system only need around HK$10000 (include 1.2M
& 1.44 floppy, 120M hard-drive, and HI-Color SVGA with monitor). A 386-40
with the above config only need around HK$8000. It's about 20% cheaper
than that in the beginning of this year.

[Information provided by Alan Yim 7/30/92]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
22)     How do I wire money to Hong Kong from US?

1.  If you intend to go to HK, bring an ATM card from a US bank
    which is on the PLUS ATM network.  Using a Plus ATM card, you
    can withdraw money directly from your US account in HK, at various
    ATMs of the Hongkong Bank which display the Plus symbol.
    Of course, if you are going yourself, you can also consider
    Traveller's Check or even cash if the amount is still reasonable
    to do so.

2.  You can send the recipient a US Dollar personal check, which they
    can deposit with their bank.  However, the check will take about
    1 month to clear.

3.  Go to a branch of a Hong Kong based bank in your area, eg.
    Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corp. or Hang Seng Bank in any
    major metropolitan area with a significant Chinese population,
    and purchase a Bank Draft or Cashier's Check.  Enquire if they can
    issue drafts in HK$ drawn on their account with their HK parent.
    Otherwise, check if they have provisions to clear their checks
    quickly (eg. if deposited with a particular HK bank).

4.  Of course, you can always tell your bank to initiate a wire transfer,
    or get a HK based bank in your area to do it (probably better, since
    they are used to doing it).


Going the other way:

a.  ETC International (similar to 1. above, but subject to transaction fee)
    This is actually quite popular in Canada now.

b.  Bank Draft.  Every bank in HK that issues US$ Bank Draft can draw
    on their accounts in the US, so worst case is 7 days to clear.
    Add the time to deliver the physical draft to the recipient (2 - 7
    days).

c.  Cable/Telex/Wire transfer. Yes they are all different (in speed), and
    subject to service charge.  Hang Seng Bank seems to charge a fixed
    fee for amounts up to some large number, and is probably cheapest.
    Note that the recipient will ALSO be charged a fee, typically
    USD 10 to USD 15, so if you wire $5000, they may only get $4990.
    This is caused by the Fed Wire Transfer between the correspondent bank
    (ie. the bank that, for example, Hang Seng deals with), and the
    receiving bank.

d.  Cash, USD Traveller's Checks are all okay.

[Information provided by Onward Lam ([e-mail])]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
23-349)    (reserved)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

350) TOPICS: TRAVELLING, DOING BUSINESS AND RETURNING TO HK
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
351)    Where can I find the lowest air fare to HK?

    Try some of the Chinese travel Agency and bring a Chinese friend
with you if you are not Chinese.  You get better price that way. :) Also,
check into the FAQ for rec.travel and it has a lot of tips on how to save
your precious dollars on travel expense.

    Here is a list of travel agency in New York City:

    reliance smas tours     (sing shung)    212.966.1919
    sandy tours & travel    (on wing)       212.966.6868
                (wah on)        212.431.0303
    travel 2000             (may bo)        212.431.4477
                (hong fook)     212.964.3951
    c a tours               (man lai)       212.219.3943            *
    fair town tours         (fai tung)      212.226.2007
    grand hong kong travel  (kong lung)     212.941.8776
    sarah's travel          (sing wah)      212.925.3366
    c l travel              (chung wah)     212.925.7731
    patrick tours & travel  (fai tart)      212.431.6500
    jade travel             (fai tsui)      212.349.1350            *
                (wing on)       212.219.3228
    wing on                 (wing on)       212.233.8383
    sampan travel           (shun fung)     212.431.3557
    judy's travel           (tsing may)     212.219.0980
                (chun sin may)  212.226.0778
    lucky trip & travel     (sing kee)      212.925.1677            *
    innova travel           (lai chuen)     212.925.3393
                (fook hong)     212.334.8088
    travel w'us             (foo wah)       212.431.7909
    new asia travel         (sun ah)        212.791.3228
    yeung shun travel                       212.962.3838
    transatlantic travel    (hong tai)      212.766.8782
    prince international tours (sing sung)  212.349.3888
    new golden horse tours  (tin ma)        212.964.6664
                (ho king)       212.941.7790
    kuo feng tours          (kwok fung)     212.219.8383
    sun shine vacation      (lai ming)      212.274.0266
    amerasia travel         (man lai)       212.227.9224

[provided by Wing Keung Au [e-mail]]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
352)    Courier service, anyone?

    IN US, there are at least two express mail service that service HK,
the Federal Express and DHL.  Federal Express charge US$38 to ship a one
pound package and their number is 1-800-247-4747.  DHL charges a little
bit more and their number is 1-800-225-5345.  They do pick up as well.
It takes approx. 3 business days to get to HK.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
353)    Which is a good travel book to read?

    One netter recommended the "Lonely Planet Guide" for HK.
ISBN# 0-86442-142-7.  Current edition is printed in May, 1992 and it has
extensive coverage in Hongkong. Macao and Canton.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
354)    What can I do in HK?

    Shopping, shopping and Shopping.  And remember "Don't leave home WITH
your American Express." :)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
355)    Where can I go in HK?

    Everywhere in Hong Kong is fun. :)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
356)    Where can I shop for computers in HK?

    Computer Places recommended by readers:

    (1) Admiralty/Hoi Fu Centre, 2/F;
    (2) Computer Centre, at Mong Kok, a new shopping centre for computers;
    (3) Golden Shopping Centre, at Shum Shui Po;
    (4) Silver Cord Centre, basement 2, at Tsim Sha Tsui.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
357)    Where can I shop for cameras in HK?

Places recommended by readers:

(1) Broadway - the chain stores that sell basically all the popular
    common items;
(2) Stanley Street in Central - there are a number of stores there,
    unfortunately, I don't have the names with me...(may be
    the HK readers can help me out with those).

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
358)    Where can I find more information before I start the trip?

    You can contact the Hong Kong Tourist Association. They
have offices around the world and if you cannot find one in where
you live, you can contact their head quarter office in HK.  The address is:

35/F Jardine House
Central
Hong Kong.
(852)-8017111
Telex 74720 HX
Cable Luyu hongkong
Fax [phone]

Other offices:

4/F, 125 Pall Mall                      Wiesenau 1
London, SW1Y 5EA                        6000 Frankfurt am Main 1
UK                                      Germany
[phone]                          (49)-69722841

c/o Sergat Espana S.L.                  Suite 1220, 10940 Wilshire Bvld
Apdo. Correos 30266                     LA, CA 90024
08080 Barcelona                         USA
Spain                                   (310)-208-4582
(93)-280-58-38

347 Bay St, Suite 909                   38 Avenue George V
Toronto, Ontario M5H 2R7                (Entree 53 rue Francois ler 1er)
Canada                                  75008 Paris
(416)-366-2389                          France
                                        (331)-4720-3954
                                        (331)-4723-0965 (fax)

c/o Sergat Italia                       590 Fifth Ave.
Via Monte Dei Cenci 20                  NY, NY 10036-4706
00186 Roma                              USA
Italy                                   (212)-869-5008
[phone]

333 North Michigan Ave.                 4/F, Toho Twin Tower Bldg
Suite 2400                              1-5-2 Yurakucho, Chiyoda-ku
Chicago, IL 60601-3966                  Tokyo 100
USA                                     Japan
(312)-782-3872                          [phone]

4/F, HK & Shanghai Bank Bldg            Level 5, 55 Harrington St.
3-6-1, Awaji-machi, 3-chome             The Rocks, Sydney
Chuo-ku, Osaka 541                      NSW 2000
Japan                                   Australia
[phone]                           [phone]

13-08 Ocean Bldg                        PO Box 2120
10 Collyer Quay                         Level 1, 5 Averill Ave.
Singapore 0104                          kohimarama, Auckland 5
(65)-532-3668                           New Zealand
                                        [phone]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
359)    Which hotel should I book?

    Hotels in HK price anywhere from US$25 to $300 per night.  Please
check with your travel agents.  The HK Tourist Association also has brochures
to hotel accomodations in HK.

    Also Check out the following hotels:
    YWCA Guest House
    5 Man Fuk Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong
    Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone]

    Caritas Lodge
    134 Boundary Street, Kowloon, Hong Kong
    Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone]

    YMCA International House
    23 Waterloo Rd, Kowloon, Hong Kong
    Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone]

    YMCA of Hong Kong
    41 Salisbury Rd., Kowloon, Hong Kong
    Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone]

    The Salvation Army Booth Lodge
    11 Wing Sing Lane, Yaumati, Kowloon, Hong Kong
    Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone]

    Holy Carpenter Guest House (near Whampoa Gardens)
    No. 1, Dyer Ave., Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong
    Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone]

    STB Hostel
    2/F Great Eastern Mansion, 255-261 Reclamation St., Kowloon,
    Hong Kong
    Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone]

    Info provided by Frank Chui ([e-mail]).

    Chung Ming Travel Service
    Room B, 2/F., Newtown Mansion
    6 Cleveland St., Causeway Bay, HK
    Telephone: [phone]
    Fax:       [phone]
    Contact Person: Ms. Y.S. Ng
    Info provided by Zhou Liping ([e-mail]).


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
360)    Are there any other sources of travel information?

    There is a good travel guide called "Lonely Planet Guide" for HK.
No ISBN#.  Sorry.  It should be available in all better bookstores. :)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
361)    What is Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC)?

Their primary mission for HKTDC is to promote Hong Kong to other countries.
Below are the addresses for the Councils, as of 7th December 1992.

Head Office:
38th Floor, Convention Plaza,
Office Tower,
1 Harbour Road,
Wanchai,
HONG KONG.
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

New York Office:              Panama Office:
219 East 46th Street,         Condominio    Plaza    Int'l
New York, NY 10017               Primer Alto, Oficina #27,
USA                           Edificio del Banco  Nacional
Tel: [phone]            de Panama
Fax: [phone]         Via Espana y Calle 55,
                              Panama,
Chicago Office:               Republica de Panama
333 North Michigan Avenue,    Tel: [phone]
Suite 2028, Chicato,          Fax: [phone]
IL 60601,
USA                           San Francisco Trade  Enquiry
Tel: [phone]            Counter:
Fax: [phone]         c/o HK   Economic  &   Trade
                                 Office
Dallas Office:                222 Kearny Street,
Suite   120,   World   Trade  4th Floor, Suite 402
   Center,                    San Francisco, CA 94108,
2050 Stemmons Freeway,        USA
Dallas, TX 75207,             Tel: [phone]
USA                           Fax: [phone]
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]         Toronto Office:
                              Suite 1100, National
Los Angeles Office:           Building,
Los Angeles world Trade       347 Bay Street,
Center                        Toronto, Ontario,
350 South Figueroa Street,    M5H 2R7,
Suite #282,                   Canada
Los Angeles, CA 90071-1386    Tel: [phone]
USA                           Fax: [phone]
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Miami office:
Courvoisier Centre
Suite #402,
501 Brickell Key Drive,
Miami, FL 33131 USA
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Mexico Office:
Manuel E. Izaguirre #13,
3er piso, Ciudad Satelite,
Estado de Mexico 53310,
Mexico
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Vancouver Office:
Suite 700
1550 Alberni Street,
Vancouver, BC,
Canada
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
V6G 1A3,

Amsterdam Office:             Spain Office:
Prinsengracht 771             Balmes, 184, Atico 3,
Ground Floor                  08006 Barcelona
1017 JZ Amsterdam,            Spain
The Netherlands               Tel: [phone]
Tel: [phone]         Fax: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
                              Stockholm Office:
Frankfurt Office:             Fungsgatan 6
Kreuzerhohl 5-7               S-111 43 Stockholm
W-6000 Frankfurt/Main 50,     Sweden
Germany                       Tel: [phone]
Tel: [phone]          Fax: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
                              Turkey Office:
Greece Office:                Piyalepasa Bulvari
48 Aegialias Street           Kastel Is Merkezi
2nd Floor                     D.Blok Kat:5
Paradissos                    80370 Piyalepasa,
GR 151 25 Amaroussion         Istanbul,
Greece                        Turkey
Tel: [phone]          Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]          Fax: [phone]

London Office:                Vienna Office:
Ground Floor, Swire House     Rotenturmstrasse 1-3/8/24
59 Buckingham Gate,           A-1010 Vienna,
London SW1E 6AJ,              Austria
England                       Tel: [phone]
Tel: [phone]        Fax: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
                              Zurich Office:
Milan Office:                 Seestrasse 135
2 Piazzetta Pattari           PO Box
20122 Milan                   CH-8027 Zurich
Italy                         Switzerland
Tel: [phone]           Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]           Fax: [phone]

Paris Office:
18, rue d'Aguesseau
75008 Paris,
France
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Beijing Office:               Shanghai Office:
Room 901, 9th Floor,          Room 1004, 10th Floor,
CITIC Building                Shanghai Union Bldg,
19 Jianguomenwai Dajie        100 Yanan Dong Lu,
Beijing,                      Shanghai 200002,
People's Republic of China    People's Republic of China
100004                        Tel: [phone]
Tel: [phone]         Fax: [phone]
   Ext. 3910
Fax: [phone]         Singapore Office:
                              20 Kallang Avenue
Guangzhou Office:             2/F, Pico Creative Centre,
Unit A, 26th Floor,           Singapore 1233
Guangdong Int'l Building      Tel: [phone]
Annex A,                      Fax: [phone]
339 Huanshi Dong Lu,
Guangzhou,                    Sydney Office:
People's Republic of China    71 York Street,
Tel: [phone]         Sydney
Fax: [phone]         NSW 2000
                              Australia
Korea Office:                 Tel: [phone]
No. 720/721 KFSB Building     Fax: [phone]
16-2 Yoidodong
Youngdeungpoku                Taiwan Office:
Seoul                         7th Floor,
Korea                         315 Sung Chiang Road,
Tel: [phone]       Taipei,
Fax: [phone]         Taiwan
                              Tel: [phone]
Middle East Office:           Fax: [phone]
New Juma Al-Majid Building,
Dubai Sharjah Road,           Thailand Office:
Dubai,                        20/F TST Tower
UAE                           21 Vibhavad

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362)       Where is the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office?

    British Embassy, 1233 20th Street       British Consulate General
    N.W. Suite 504                          680 Fifth Avenue, 22nd Floor
    Washington, DC 20036                    New York, NY 10019
    (202)-331-8947                          (212)-265-8888

    British Consulate             General British High Commission
    180 Sutter Street,             4/F Consular Section
    San Francisco, CA 94104         80 Elgin Street
    (415)-397-2215                 Ottawa, Ontario, K1P 5K7

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363)       Where is the American Chamber of Commerce in HK?

    Chamber of Commerce of US               1030 Swire House
    International Division                  Central, HK
    1615 H Street NW                        (852)-526-0165 or 525-9215
    Washington, DC 20062                    Fax [phone]

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364)       Can I bring a celluar phone to Hong Kong?

    Yes, but AT&T Hutchinson makes it very difficult for you to take a
foriegn mobile phone to Hong Kong.  If you really want to do it, you can
follow some direction from C.W. Chung ([e-mail]):

1. You need to bring your passport in person, the invoice of the
sale of the phone, and the phone itself to the Hutchison branch
in HungHum. The invoice should spell out the date and the name
of the purchaser so that Hutchison is satisfied that the purchaser
did buy the phone personally outside of Hong Kong.

2. Hutchison will cost you HKD$1000 to reprogram your phone, and another
$1000 to activate your phone.

3. It'll take about 3 months(!) to process your request.  When it
is approved, you'll have to go to the HungHum office to sign the
paperwork *in person*.

4. Thereafter, the phone could be used and transferred just like any
other Motorola phones sold by Hutchison in HK.

5. You could however set up a roaming service right away.  There is a
daily charge something like HKD$50 a day in addition to the usual
charge based on time of usage (I think it is HKD $2 per min).

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
365)    Is there any youth hostel in Hong Kong?

    Check out IYAC, it is a private dorm style hostel at 21A
Lock Rd, TsimShaTsui, Kowloon.  The rate is about HK$40/US$5 per night.

[[e-mail] (Stewart Lindsay)]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
366)       Where are all the British Counsolate-General?

    Here are the addresses:

British Consulate-General (Atlanta)       404-524-5856 (FAX)404-524-3153
                    Suite 2700, Marquis One Tower
                    245 Peachtree Center Avenue,
                    Atlanta, GA, 30303

British Consulate-General (Boston)        Federal Reserve Plaza
                    600 Atlantic Avenue,
                    25th Floor,
                    Boston, MA 02210

British Consulate-General (Chicago)       312-346-1810 (FAX)312-346-7021
                    33 North Dearborn Street  312-346-1810
                    Chicago, Il, 60602

British Consulate-General (Cleveland)     216-621-7675 (FAX)216-621-2615
                    55 Public Square, Suite 1650,
                    Cleveland, OH 44113-1963

British Consulate-General (LA)              310-477-3322 (FAX)310-575-1450
                    11766 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 400,
                    Los Angeles, CA 90025-6538

British Consulate-General (SF)            415-981-3030 (FAX)415-434-2018
                    1 Sansome Street (Sansome/Sutter@Market)
                    Suite 850
                    San Francisco, CA 94104

British Consulate-General (Seattle)       206-622-9255 (FAX)206-622-4728
                    820 First Interstate Center
                    999 Third Avenue,
                    Seattle, WA 98104

British Consulate-General (NY)               845 Third Avenue
                    New York, NY 10022

British Embassy, Passport Office (Washington, D.C.) 202-986-0205
British Embassy (Washington, D.C.)        202-462-1340 (FAX)202-898-4224
                        3100 Massachusetts Avenue NW,
                    Washington, D.C. 20008

[[e-mail] (Michael Yip)]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
367-399)(reserved)
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400) TOPICS: CDs/BOOKs/MAGAZINEs/VIDEOs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
401)    Where can I buy the lastest CDs/Books/Magazines?

    No such service is available at this point.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
402)    How do I subscribe to Chinese newspapaers?

    You can subscribe Sing Tao Daily by contacing:

    Sing Tao Limited
    185 Canal St. Basement                  246 Harrison Ave
    New York, NY 10013                      Boston, MA 02111

    234 W. Cermak Rd. 2/F                   126 N. 10th St.
    Chicago, IL 60616                       Philadephia, PA 19107

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
403)    Is there any mail order place for these items?

    Not right now but some netters mentioned that they have
something similar in the making and I think they will let us know
as soon as they are ready.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
404)     Why can't I watch HK video tapes in the US/Canada?

    It is because the tape from HK are recorded in the PAL format
and you probably have a NTSC system.  They are not compatible.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
405)    What should I do when I receive a PAL tape from HK?

    You can convert the tape from PAL <=> NTSC by contacting some
service company.  In US, There are two that are recommended by the
SCHK netters:

    DAKE International                      SOMI International
    3208 Foxboro Dr.                        50 Summer St.
    Richardson, TX 75082                    Edison, NJ 08820
    (214)-234-8518                          (908)-548-3065

    INTERNATIONAL VIDEO CONVERSION
    520 Harvest Lane
    Raleigh, NC 27606-2217
    [phone]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
408)      Where do I buy Computer Science books?

    Here is a list of book stores in Hong Kong which carries computer
science books.  Go check it out.  Info provided by Leo So ([e-mail])

    Hon Wing Book Co., Ltd.
    63A, Tung Choi Street, Kowloon
    391-0585

    World Book Co., Ltd.
    Argyle Street (Near Sincere), Mongkok
    394-1025

    USTHK University Bookstore
    Level 123, Entrance Piazza, Hong Kong University of Science & Tech.
    358-6400

    HKU Swindon Book Co., Ltd.
    University of Hong Kong
    546-8412

    CUHK Swindon Book Co., Ltd.
    Fulton Building, Chinese University of Hong Kong
    603-6760

    Swindon Book Co., Ltd.
    13-15 Locke Road, Tsimsatsui, Kowloon
    366-8001

    Caves Books Co,. Ltd.
    4B Ferry Street, G/F., Yaumati, Kowloon
    780-0987, 771-2298
    Shop M124, Jackson Rd,. MTR Central Station, HK
    524-8857

    Academic & Professional (A&P) Book Center
    1H Cheung Ming Building, 80-86 Argyle Street, Mongkok
    398-2191

    Man Yuen Books Co., Ltd.
    Parkers Street, Jordon, Kowloon
    730-0594

    (*) means rich in CS books.
    (!) means rather expensive.
    ($) means cheap.

In addition to the list of Book Shops in the FAQ, please go and
look for UNI-HALL LEED & WOOD LTD.  Uni-Hall has three retail
shops across the harbour.  One in Upper Basement of Silvercord in
Canton Road, Tsimshatsui.  Another one in Computer 88, Star House,
Tsimshatsui.  The last one is in Far East Financian Tower,
Admiralty.  Uni-Hall is specialized on Computer Books on all
platforms as well as Software retailling for the PC and Mac.
Discounts is offered to members of the Uni-Hall Readers Club on
books and software. Enrolment fee for Readers Club is around
HKD100.00 which is redeemable upon termination of memberhsip.

Last but not least, those chain book stores like Chung Wah
and Commercial Press had been having a corner for Computer
books for a few years.  Although the prices are slightly being
marked up, it's worth a look if you are around.
[Thomas Ngan <[e-mail]>]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
409)    Where do I purchase publication from the Hong Kong Government?

    You can contact the Government Information Services (GIS)
Publications Centre.  Their address is:

    General Post Office Building
    Central, Hong Kong

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
410-449)(reserved)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

550) TOPICS: GATHERINGS/LOCAL GROUPS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
551)    Anybody out there from XYZ Secondary School?

    We often see posting from SCHK netters looking for lost
classmates.  Michael Yip from Sybase Corporation had
spent considerable amount of time and effort to compile a
high school list which he post very regularly.  If you have missed the
last issue, you can contact him at "[e-mail]".

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
552)    How can I start an e-mail alumni association?

    Check with the High School List below before you start.  There
is a chance that such a mailing list already exist.

    a) Cheung Sha Wan Catholic Secondary School (CSWCSS)
       Please send mail to "[e-mail]" with
       subject "get: info". For other inquiries, contact
       Henry Yeung at "[e-mail]".

    b) Choi Hung Est. Catholic Secondary School, contact Dominic Ng at
        "[e-mail]".

    c) Ho Lap College, contact Johnny Chow at "[e-mail]".

    d) Lutheran Middle School, cotact Johnny Chow at
         "[e-mail]".

    e) Maryknoll Convent School, contact Elizabeth Luk at
        "[e-mail]".

    f) Queen's College - contact "[e-mail]" for details.

    g) St. Francis Xavier School, TW - contact Thomas Kwan at
        "[e-mail]".

    h) SPCC 88 (cert year) - contact "[e-mail]".

    i) Tin Kwong Road Government Secondary School - contact
        Edward S.N.Chiu at "[e-mail]".

    j) WYCHK - contact "[e-mail]" for details.

    k) WYK - contact John Chiu "[e-mail]".

     l) Diocesan Boys' School - contact "[e-mail]".

    m) Queen Elizabeth School - contact "[e-mail]".

    n) DGS - contact Connie Li at "[e-mail]".

    o) HKTA Student Ambassador - contact Albert Pang at
        "[e-mail]".

    p) Good Hope School - contact Peggy Lee at "[e-mail]".

    q) St. Joseph - contact Eddie Chan at "[e-mail]".

    r) SPSS - contact Alice Tsang at "[e-mail]".

    s) St Paul's Convent School - contact Grace NG at
        "[e-mail]".

    t) La Salle College (LSC) - contact KELVIN TSE at "[e-mail]"
                            for details about the "LSC-mailing-list".

    u) King's College - contact Jason Ho at "[e-mail]".

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
553)    Are there any local gathering groups?

    In Dallas, Texas, you can get in touch with John Ho at
"[e-mail]".  The SCHK Texans get together for Dim Sum, Karaoke,
BBQ, eat and plain BS.  Lots of laughters and tons of fun.  Everyone welcome.

    In San Jose, California, you can contact the Club
Bauhinia (CB) - "Care Hong Kong" group in the San Jose area. They are
an associate member of AHKCUS. In the past they printed booklets about
Hong Kong and worked with HK students from the University of California
at Berkeley in publishing booklets, staging Hong Kong Week and other
conferences and seminars.  They have also created a multimedia slide shows
about HK.  For further information, please contact Dennis Lee
at "[e-mail]".

    In Bay area, you can contact the BAGgers - (Bay Area Gethering)
They hold semi-regular gatherings for fun in the Bay Area  e.g. BBQ,
Bowling, fishing, rafting etc.  And they have a regular soccer game
every other week.  There are usally 20 to 30 players.  For more
information, please contact Nelson Chan at "[e-mail]"
or Lawrence Chow "[e-mail]".

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
554-699)(reserved)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

700) TOPICS: LEGENDS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
701)    Who is Deanna?

    During (what month?) 1991, in response to all those
usual "looks + intelligence = constant" silly talks, a student
called Deanna from University of Pittsburgh posted a message
claiming "I am pretty and witty." This bold assertion stunned
the hitherto male-dominated schk and Deanna became the Marilyn
Monroe of schk overnight. More than 100 articles were posted
in a few days and a See_Deanna_Club was eventually formed.
Deanna had left Univ of Pittsburgh since but she left with us
a very fond memory of hi-tech romance.  Thank you Deanna.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
702)    Who is Jan?

    Jan is a Yale student with unknown gender.  In May, 1992,
After series of claims of a lonesome male from HK who has the voice
of Jackey Cheung, the look of Andy Lau, and the smile of Leon Lai.
Jan suddenly identifies HIMSELF as a HERSELF.  Days later, Jan
announced this whole event was indeed HER on going experiment
conducted by the Department of Psychology in Yale University.
Netters were mad and some even send letter to the Dept. chair to
complain about the so-called experiment as unethical. Later, Jan
turned into a HIM and he (should it be she) tried to defend HIS
and HER position. Today, Jan's gender and identity remains a mystery.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------