In the political systems of Hong Kong, a functional constituency is a professional or special interest group involved in the electoral process. Eligible voters in a functional constituency may include natural persons as well as other designated legal entities such as organisations and corporations. (See: legal personality) History The concept of functional constituencies (FC) in Hong Kong was first developed in the release of "Green Paper: A Pattern of District Administration in Hong Kong" on 18 July 1984 when indirect elections were introduced to the Legislative Council for the first time. The paper suggested that the Legislative Council create 24 seats with 12 seats from different professional interest groups. The 11 original functional constituencies created in 1985 were: First Commercial (HKGCC) Second Commercial (CGCC) First Industrial (FHKI) Second Industrial (CMAHK) Financial (HKAB) Labour (2 seats) Social Services (HKCSS) Medical (HKMA) Teaching Legal Engineering, Architectural, Surveying and Planning In 1988, the Financial constituency was enlarged into Financial and Accountancy constituencies and the Medical constituency was enlarged into Medical and Health Care constituencies respectively. In 1991, the functional constituencies were more developed. With 9 directly elected geographical constituencies created, 20 functional constituencies consisting of 11 types of industry in which 7 new functional constituencies including Heung Yee Kuk, Urban Council and Regional Council were also set up. The 7 new functional constituencies added in 1991 were: Engineering Real Estate and Construction Tourism Financial Services Urban Council Regional Council Rural In 1992, Chris Patten suggested additional political reform adding nine additional functional constituencies with a much expanded voter base to the existing system. The changes were implemented in the 1995 legislative election. The 9 new functional constituencies added in 1995 were: Primary Production, Power and Construction Textiles and Garment Manufacturing Import and Export Wholesale and Retail Hotels and Catering Transport and Communication Financing, Insurance, Real Estate and Business Services Community, Social and Personal Services After transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong in 1997, there were 28 functional constituencies consisting of the following. Corporate voting was restored after it was abolished in 1995. It reduced the number of eligible voters by almost 90 percent, from over 1.1 million in 1995 to fewer than 140,000 in 1998: Heung Yee Kuk Agriculture and Fisheries Insurance Transport Education Legal Accountancy Medical Health Services Engineering Architectural, Surveying, Planning and Landscape Labour (3 seats) Social Welfare Real Estate and Construction Tourism Commercial (First) Commercial (Second) Industrial (First) Industrial (Second)