Loong Kong



Loong Kong (Qilinian: "Dragon port") is an island city and Equestrian colony south of Qilinia.

It's an important trading center, boasting one of the busiest seaports in Equus.

Demographics
Its population is primarily made up of Qilins, but it has a significant Pony and Seapony population.

History
See also Timeline.

For most of its history, Loong Kong was a sparsely populated Qilinian island.

During the Equestrian-Qilinian war, Equestria conquered and colonized Loong Kong.

Under Equestrian rule, the Equestrian government encouraged Qilinian artisans to move to Loong Kong promising them free housing.

Equestria then began construction of bridges connecting Loong Kong to Qilinia and used them to carry raw goods to be processed in the island into crafts which were later sold in the Equestrian mainland. These crafts were similar to Qilinian ones, but were also influenced by Equestrian arts.

Besides industrial development, Loong Kong was also declared a friendly port with permission to let any cargo ships dock and trade there, making it a prominent entrepôt.

Military
Loong Kong's military is largely based on the Qilinian one.

Their army is known as the colonial guard and they dress like the Qilinian imperial guard, except their plates are made of gold and silver instead of iron and bronze.

Similarly, the Loongkongese navy consists of tarasque ships whose plates are forged out of silver and bronze.

After the Equestrian-Qilinian war, Loong Kong was used as a starting point for the development of Equestrian rocketeer units after Qilinian rocketry had proved devastating during the war. Rockets can be fired faster than cannon as they only need to be lit to be fired, they are lighter than cannonballs and they can explode upon impact, making them a powerful siege weapon.

Currency
As part of Equestria, the bit is the official currency, but the Qilinian bi is in common usage due to historical usage and commercial ties with Qilinia.

Industry
Loongkongese lacquerware is distinguished for often featuring astral themes more commonly than the seasonal themes of Qilinian lacquerware as well as using a wider variety of colors.

The Loongkongese seaweed aquaculture industry is famed worldwide for combining the expertise of Qilins and Seaponies on the matter to produce some of the world's finest seaweed.

Loong Kong has no inland farming industry, but the demand for food and free trade with Qilinia has created a sprawling farming industry around the island.