With the SAR being a hub for multinational companies setting up their bases in the region, Hong Kong has spawned an international lifestyle befitting its status as Asia's world city.

Not only is Hong Kong a platform to global business opportunities, it is also an entree to world-class sporting and cultural entertainment events, renowned dining and shopping experiences, and a spectacular natural environment, according to Norman Lyle, chairman of the British Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong.

"Hong Kong is a cosmopolitan city, it is a very safe place to be based with children and the standard of living is world-class.

"There are lots of opportunities to go walking both on Hong Kong Island and in the New Territories. If you are interested in sailing Hong Kong is a fine place to be based. We have the best horse racing facilities in the world and there are excellent private golf courses as well as The Jockey Club's course at Kau Sai Chau, one of the best public golf courses in the world."

On the sporting scene, Hong Kong is recognised as the International Rugby Board "Jewel in the crown" of the World Series Sevens (WSS) competition. The Credit Suisse First Boston Hong Kong Sevens being held this month is the largest international sevens event, draws the biggest crowds and offers the richest purse, according to Brian Stevenson, president of the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union.

"The multi-cultural nature and geographical location of Hong Kong have enabled the Hong Kong Sevens weekend to develop into not only a feast of top flight rugby, but also as a world-famous carnival where rugby fans from around the globe come to enjoy and support their national teams."

The Carlsberg Cup International Football Tournament, the International Dragon Boat Festival, the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon, and the 8th Asian Marathon Championships are further events signalling Hong Kong as the sporting event capital of the region, while each December the world horseracing spotlight focuses on the Jockey Club's prestigious International Races.

Ranking alongside the US Breeder's Cup, Australia's Melbourne Cup and France's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, Hong Kong International Races "is firmly established as one of the great days in the global racing calendar" according to Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, executive director of racing at the Hong Kong Jockey Club. "It is a unique occasion featuring world-class racing and betting entertainment together with the best horses, world's leading jockeys and trainers from the northern and southern hemispheres, and from East and West, competing for some of the richest purses in the sport."

Hong Kong is also a city of great artistic creativity, chief executive of the Hong Kong Arts Development Council Albert Lam said. "It is a melting pot for different types of art, be it performing arts, visual or literary arts, and other art forms."

It's all part of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department's commitment to providing quality leisure and cultural services commensurate with Hong Kong's development as a world-class city and the events capital of Asia, added director Paul Leung Sai-wah.