And no one questions that description of this tiny special administrative region anymore.

FORBES: Betting on Macau, Say They Still Need More Rooms

Property prices soared in the special administrative region 50% between 2010 and 2012.

CNN: SHARE THIS

The Disney deal does not come complete with a magic wand to waft away the Special Administrative Region's woes.

CNN: Making A Magic Kingdom

Hongkong Bank points out that the special administrative region's product mix does not overlap much with Southeast Asia's, limiting competition.

CNN: The Cost of a Pegged Dollar

For the first time, they directly represented the new special administrative region, rather than forming a part of the delegation from Guangdong province.

CNN: A New, Slimmer Government

Adelson hoped to recreate his success in Vegas, but Chinese authorities slapped fresh restrictions on travel to the former Portuguese colony, now a special administrative region.

FORBES: Magazine Article

The skepticism is not limited to Hong Kong, a former British colony that's now a special administrative region of China with its own legal system and currency.

NPR: HK Opposes Sichuan Quake Aid Over Corruption Fears

One issue of fundamental constitutional importance is the relationship between the legal systems of the mainland and the Special Administrative Region (SAR), and the interfacing role of the Basic Law.

CNN: A NEW CONSTITUTIONAL ORDER

As a matter of principle, they chose not to join the Beijing-anointed provisional legislature that will replace the Legislative Council when the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) is inaugurated.

CNN: The Shift of Power

At 66 bank branches all across the Special Administrative Region and over the Internet, millions of applications to buy stock in the commuter train monopoly were filled out and filed.

CNN: Hong Kong Packs the Train

On July 6, the Hong Kong International Airport at Chek Lap Kok opened for business, five days after the territory celebrated its first year as a special administrative region of China.

CNN: A Date with Disaster

The Kwoks own more than half of the company, which has gained a reputation for quality construction and has built Hong Kong landmarks like Central Plaza, the Special Administrative Region's tallest building.

CNN: Change Is in the Air

The Special Administrative Region government hopes that the project, expected to be completed in 2005, will boost construction, tourism, retailing and property -- sectors crucial to revving up the SAR's sluggish economy.

CNN: Is Hong Kong Open Only for Business?

According to WHO, the following countries reported confirmed cases with no deaths: Austria, China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, El Salvador, France, Germany, Guatemala, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

CNN: Mexico lowers swine flu alert as businesses in capital reopen

Whether living in a Cheung Kong apartment, switching on a Fortress appliance powered by Hong Kong Electric, buying groceries at Park 'N Shop or toiletries at Watson's, listening to Metro Radio, or, soon, connecting via a PCCW-HKT line, people in the Special Administrative Region are a captive market.

CNN: From Ports to Portals