Hong Kong Chinese, when compared with the world population, have an intermediate incidence rate for colorectal carcinoma. The purpose of this retrospective analysis of a large number of colorectal carcinomas (1,117 cases) was to explore possible differences between this series and others, and to re-examine the divergent features reported in a smaller series. The present study revealed a distribution by age, sex, site and Dukes' stage, as well as histopathological features, which were analogous to those reported from other countries. Thus, while the incidence is lower in this group, the other manifestations of the disease are very similar to those seen elsewhere. The implication is that, apart from varying incidence, there is a global similarity among colorectal tumours.