.578
CHINA
Imports to the amount of Hk. Tls. 25,231,033 were re-exported to foreign countries, e.g., to Japan, Tls. 5,805,414; to United States of America, Tls. 6,458,735; to Hongkong, Tls. 4,982,702; to Russian Pacific Ports, Tls. 950,013; to Siberia by land frontier and Amur Ports, Hk. Tls. 1,627,269; to Corea, Tls. 2,416,141; to Great Britain, Tls. 1,089,742; to Singapore, Straits, etc., Hk. Tls. 557,635. Cotton piece-goods form the largest group in the import list of China. In 1923 the total values (Hk. Tls. 131,886,293) was equal to 14 per cent. of the total importations from foreign countries, as compared with 16.04 per cent. in 1922.
Imports Direct from Foreign Countries in 1923
[In thousands of Haikwan taels (000 omitted).]
Recalculated
Woollen Goods.
Recalculated
Metals and Minerals.
Recalculated at average 1913 Values.
Values declared.
Hk. Tls.
Cotton Goods.
Values
Year.
declared.
at average
Values declared.
at average
1913 Values.
1913 Values.
Hk, Tls.
Hk. Tls.
Hk. Tls.
Hk. Tls.
Hk. Tls.
1913....
182,420
4,880
29,156
1915...
150,004
150,698
1,728
1,401
18,073
16,823
1916..
136,679
137,566
2,294
1,544
26,059
18,271
1917....
158,950
139,928
3,677
2,124
25,138
16,846
1918....
151,380
98,257
3,201
1,488
37,637
22,202
1919..
209,786
126,378
3,614
1,667
56,609
44,216
1920...
246,813
127,920
4,791
2,252
61,572
51,199
1921.....
208,663
105,110
7,408
2,588
60,077
42,271
1922..
218,523
121,417
8,794
4,369
49,928
46,431
1923.
173,520
97,242
19,042
9,533
44,938
37,478
The total values declared of cotton and woollen goods, metals, minerals and sun- dries, in the year 1923 show more than twice the 1913 values, but the value of the trade, if recalculated at the average 1913 values-thus taking the year 1913 as the common basis of comparison-has advanced from Hk. Tls. 322,893,000 in 1913 to Hk. Tls. 453,799,000 in 1923, an improvement of 40 per cent. only. It will be noted that cotton goods have steadily receded in volume, as borne out by the reconverted values. The reason of this decline is, no doubt, partly ascribed to steadily increasing demand for the product of Chinese factories (says the Inspector-General of Customs). Judged by the same standard woollen goods have considerably advanced, and metals and minerals likewise reveal remarkable progress.
The following table shows in detail the importation into China for the years 1913, 1922 and 1923 of the principal varieties of cotton goods. Under grey shirtings, American importations exhibit a remarkable decline; those imported from Great Britain and Japan, likewise receded considerably, while white shirtings fell from 3.6 to 2.2 million pieces in 1923 as compared with the preceding year. Turkey red cottons and dyed T-cloths also fell off, but the other lines of cotton goods included in the list were able to record advances.
*
Description of Goods
1913 Pieces
1922 Pieces
1923
Pieces
Grey shirtings, sheetings, drills, jeans and T-cloths:
American
...
English
Japanese
2,281,123 381,331 7,167,526 1,958,242 1,493,706 5,716,594 6,496,605 5,419,232
18,527
Shirtings, white, plain and figured, white irishes,
and bleached T-cloths ....
4,607,905
3,660,950 2,177,722
Cambrics, lawns, and muslins, white, dyed, or
printed
Turkey red cottons and dyed T-cloths
Dyed cottons, plain, fast black, coloured, and figured italians, venetians, poplins, and lastings Plain cotton prints, and printed drills, furnitures,
twills, crape, satteens, repps, etc.........
331,856 291,689 421,254 985,988 694,158 552,186
3,673,126
5,034,060 5,338,210
1,413,561
1,491,251 1,596,047