Final answer:
The economy of Hong Kong as of 2012 most closely matches Free-market capitalism. It is recognized for its minimal government intervention and strong reliance on market forces, aligning closely with the principles of a free market system.
Step-by-step explanation:
As of 2012, the economy of Hong Kong most closely approximates D. Free-market capitalism. Hong Kong has been widely recognized for its economic freedom, with minimal government intervention in the marketplace and a strong reliance on market forces to determine economic outcomes. The Heritage Foundation, which provides information about the degree of economic freedom and market-orientation of different countries, would likely rank Hong Kong highly on the scale towards free-market capitalism. While no economy is purely one type or another, Hong Kong's economic system is one of the closest real-world examples of free-market capitalism. In contrast, traditional communism is characterized by a lack of private property and state ownership of means of production—features not representative of Hong Kong's economy.