Hong Kong joined the IIHF on 31 March 1983, and made its debut in the world championship at Pool D in Perth, Australia in 1987.

Hong Kong tied Chinese Taipei, 2–2 in its first international game on 13 March 1987 and went on to win the Fair Play Cup at the world tournament.

After their one appearance in the World Championship, Hong Kong took a hiatus from participation in international tournaments.

Although there was plenty of ice hockey activity in Hong Kong, local teams (usually stocked with Canadian and American players) did not compete for the national championship until 1995–96.

In 2014, Hong Kong returned to the World Championships, and participated in the Division III level, the sixth and lowest tier.