<P> The stability , security , and predictability of British law and government enabled Hong Kong to flourish as a centre for international trade . In the colony 's first decade , the revenue from the opium trade was a key source of government funds . The importance of opium reduced over time , but the colonial government was dependent on its revenues until the Japanese occupation in 1941 . Although the largest businesses in the early colony were operated by British , American , and other expatriates , Chinese workers provided the bulk of the manpower to build a new port city . </P>
why was hong kong important to the british empire
a centre for international trade