The document discusses how Hong Kong has been a center of trade and finance in Asia since the early 20th century. It notes that Hong Kong became the source of growth for nearby economies over just 150 years and can be considered a merchant city founded and managed by businessmen. Traditional trading houses called "hongs" like Jardine Matheson and Hutchison were major pillars of Hong Kong's economy and the Hong Kong Shanghai Bank was the financier supporting these trading companies.