Overview
American awareness and understanding of the history and political situation surrounding Hong Kong, China, and Great Britain is very low. Moreover, Americans express high levels of concern and pessimism regarding the future outlook for Hong Kong and its people. By sharp contrast, residents ofHong Kong are far less worried and express greater optimism about future changes.

Summary Highlights
Historically, awareness among the U.S. general public ofthe transition ofHong Kong, from British to Chinese rule, has been extremely low. In October 1995, nearly two-thirds (64%) ofall respondents were unaware of any change in the future about which country will politically control Hong Kong. Currently, with less than one hundred days remaining pnor to the transition, general awareness of the event continues to remain very low. For example:
* Fifty-nine percent (59%) of respondents are unaware or unsure of any future change about which country will politically control Hong Kong.
* Only four-in-ten (39%) respondents are aware that Hong Kong is controlled by another country.
* Slightly more than one-in-ten (l2%) are aware that Hong Kong was controlled by another country and that the controlling country was Great Britain.

Among those respondents who are aware of the change (41%), what is known results in mostly negative opinions. Respondents are concerned mainly about "the loss of personal freedoms" and "a weakening ofHong Kong's economy." Americans are distrustful of the Chinese government and its intentions for Hong Kong. Additionally, more than three-in-five respondents (62%) feel that the future of Hong Kong will be "worse" compared to Hong Kong today. Despite these concerns, half of all respondents (50%) have confidence in Hong Kong's future overall.

Interestingly, the feelings ofpessimism expressed by Americans with regard to the transition are not shared by their counterparts living in Hong Kong. There are many areas in which the views ofthe two groups are starkly different. On the whole, Americans are far more concerned about the July 1 event than are Hong Kong residents. Issues of greatest contrast include preference for govemmental structure - sixty percent (60%) of Americans feel that, ifthe choice were left up to Hong Kong residents, they would choose an "independent Hong Kong," while about the same number ofHong Kong residents (62%) mention the exact opposite, and would choose to "join China." Along the same lines, Hong Kong residents seem far less concerned than their U.S. counterparts about "personal freedom" (43% of U.S. respondents are "very" or "somewhat worried" vs. only 19% ofHK residents) and "political stability" (54% ofU.S. respondents are "very" or "somewhat worried" vs. only 18% of HK residents) in Hong Kong after the transition.