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History

development in the region and facilitated the transformation of Hong Kong into an increasingly service-based economy, with domestic merchandise exports accounting for less than 2 per cent of total exports by 2012.

To keep pace with the development, the government improved and expanded the infrastructure. Hong Kong was transformed into a modern city with efficient road and rail links, and first-class port and airport facilities. New highways opened up previously remote areas, the railway networks were expanded and Hong Kong International Airport at Chek Lap Kok was opened in 1998.

The development of the economic base has enabled the government to increase spending on education, social welfare, health and other needs, from $312.4 billion in 2008-09 to an estimated $537.7 billion in 2018-19.

It has been the government's policy that no qualified student would be denied access to education due to a lack of means. Free primary and junior secondary education has been provided to every student attending public-sector schools since 1978. Senior secondary education and full-time courses offered by the Vocational Training Council for secondary three school leavers also became free in 2008. Post-secondary education remains heavily subsidised.

The scope and delivery of welfare services have evolved to become more holistic, integrated and accessible. In the past decade, total government spending on social welfare has more than doubled, from $39.2 billion in 2008-09 to an estimated $90.8 billion in 2018-19.

A healthcare system originally developed in the early post-war years to cope with the growing population has expanded greatly in line with the government's commitment to safeguard public health and to provide medical care and facilities for everyone. In 1990, the government set up the independent Hospital Authority and gave it responsibility for managing public hospitals and providing heavily subsidised public healthcare services, having regard to the principle that no person should be denied medical care due to lack of means. As at end-2018, the authority had 43 public hospitals and institutions, 49 specialist outpatient clinics and 73 general outpatient clinics under its management.

Comprehensive labour legislation, including the Minimum Wage Ordinance, is in place to protect employees' rights, benefits, and occupational safety and health. Job-seekers and employers have access to free employment and recruitment services. Established in 1992, the Employees Retraining Board now provides training and retraining courses and services to people aged at least 15 with sub-degree education or below, to help meet the demands of the changing labour market while providing additional manpower for various industries.

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