Hong Kong offers the best quality of living among cities in China but has fallen way behind its main competitor Singapore and major Japanese cities, according to a new survey. The city ranked 70th among 230 cities assessed in an annual quality of living survey conducted by consulting firm Mercer. The survey assesses living conditions based on 10 categories, including political stability, economic environment, medical, education, transport, recreation, housing and natural environment. The study aims to provide information to help multinational companies determine hardship allowances for employees when placing them on international assignments. Vienna tops the rankings, which are dominated by European cities. Zurich, Auckland and Munich complete the top four, while Vancouver is fifth – the highest-ranking city in North America. Singapore, which is ranked 26th globally, claims the top place in Asia-Pacific. Also beating Hong Kong in the region are five cities in Japan: Tokyo (44), Kobe (47), Yokohama (48), Osaka (58) and Nagoya (61). Connie Leung, a consultant at Mercer, said quality of living in Hong Kong remained at a relatively good standard compared to most other nearby cities in the region, but “the air pollution and road traffic in its major CBD areas continue to be a concern.” She said the city’s efficient banking services, effective public services and reliable transport system, however, enabled it to rank above other cities in China. “The wide variety of food, leisure and entertainment options, as well as a vast choice of high quality consumer goods, also set Hong Kong apart,” she said. Hong Kong is followed in the region by Seoul (72), Taipei (83), Taichung (99), Shanghai (101) and Beijing (118). DON'T MISS: Hong Kong in world’s top 10 most expensive cities to live for first time in over a decade Pollsters note that Cheonan (98) in South Korea, Taichung (99) in Taiwan, and mainland cities Xi’an and Chongqing (both ranked 142) are emerging business destinations. “Their main challenges to improving quality-of-living standards are clean water provision and air pollution,” they said. “However, advances in the telecommunications and consumer sectors have had some positive offsetting effects on their ranking.”