AS
CHINA
From the above table it will be noticed that the cereals and flour group. which headed the list in 1935, dropped to eighth place, imports being no less than $87 million lower during 1936. The premier position is taken by the metals and ores group, which was higher by $20.6 million, followed by the candles, soap, and oils group, with an increased import of $3.4 million. Machinery and tools fell by $5.9 million and cotton and manufactures thereof by $14.3 million. Books, maps, paper, and wood pulp were higher by $4.3 million, vehicles and vessels by $21.9 million, chemicals and pharmaceuticals by $14.4 million, and miscellaneous metal manufactures by $11.9 million. The import of dyes, etc., was higher by $3.6 million and of wool and manufactures thereof by $8.9 million, while imports of timber and sugar declined by $5.8 million and $7.1 million respectively. Imports of tobacco were $6 million higher.
EXPORTS
J
The value of exports improved by 22.6 per cent., or from $576 million in 1935 to $706 million for 1936. The comparatively lower dollar and some up- lifting of world depression exercised general beneficial effect, but the main advantage accrued from the enhanced demand for certain of China's staple products.
The following table gives comparative statistics for the value of the export trade during the past three years, arranged according to the groupings used in the "Monthly Returns of the Foreign Trade of China" and further arranged according to the order of importance assumed by these groupings during the year under review: -
EXPORTS ABROAD, 1934-36
1934.
1935.
1936.
St. $
St. $
St. $
Textile Fibres
74,760,986
97,395,860
112,979,740
Animals and Animal Products (not
including Hides, Leather and Skins
(Furs) and Fishery and Sea Products) 77,866,525
80,255,792
103,985,431
Oils, Tallow and Wax
31,664,689
57,279,830
91,368,866
Ores, Metals and Metallic Products
30,737,274
43,574,638
56,742,800
Yarn, Thread, Plaited and Knitted Goods 54,319,562
42,457,104
47,475,874
Seeds
...
...
27,934,725
49,000,512
40,804,825
Hides, Leather and Skins (Furs)
29,107,646
23,628,606
40,501,923
Tea
36,098,549
26,624,184
30,661,711
Cereals and Cereal Products
15,722,299
18,920,899
24,792,229
Piece Goods
Fuel
Tobacco
...
30,763,291
18,838,502
24,148,792
8,205,035
8,572,048
13,002,036
...
9,431,109
9,051,579
10,137,540
...
Fruits, Fresh, Dried and Preserved
including Chemicals)
Other Textile Products
Vegetables
Beansand Peas
Other Vegetable Products
8,953,514
8,545,621
9,901,696,
Medical Substances and Spices (not
...
10,093,743.
9,147,688
9,845,453
9,393,162
7,669,144
9,419,621
9,343,161
8,348.983
9,413,577.
6,953,770
5,255,005
8,277,628
•
6,370,764
6,217,695
7,146,526
Chemicals and Chemical Products
5,866,089
5,388,451
6,175,529
Paper
...
...
5,118,681
4,809,815
5,498,345
Stone, Earth, Sand and Manufactures
thereof (including Chinaware and
Enamelware)
...
3,160,329
3,330,344
4,074,490
Fishery and Sea Products
...
3,074,541
3,098,475
3,179,541
Timber, Wood and Manufactures thereof
1,692,253
1,917,243
3,006,530
Bamboo
...
2,639,254
2,543,409
2,934,595