CHINA
A7
lion and $23.8 million respectively. Cereals, not otherwise recorded, mainly from the Kwantung Leased Territory, also increased in value by $24.9 million, with the import of flour, not otherwise recorded, and starch (non-edible) show- ing an increased value of $11 million. Second in importance on the list was cotton and manufactures thereof, which increased in value from $42.9 million to $200 million nearly, there being an increase in the value of raw cotton im- ports of $160 million from Brazil, British India, the United States of America and Egypt. The value of imported candles, soap, oils, etc., increased by $17.9 million, gasolene imports being higher by $4.2 million, a decline in American imports being compensated by larger importations from Netherlands India. Imports of liquid fuel and of kerosene oil remained unchanged at approxim- ately $10 million and $30 million. Vegetable oils and fats, not otherwise re- corded, principally from Japan and the Kwantung Leased Territory, increased in value by $7.4 million; toilet and fancy soap by $1 million; and candles and soap, not otherwise recorded, by $1.4 million, mainly from Japan. The chemi- cal and pharmaceutical group showed an increased value of $18.8 million. The import of acids and chemicals and chemical compounds, not otherwise recorded, from Japan increased. Imports of sulphate of ammonia were higher in value by $3 million, a decline in imports from Great Britain being made up by increased importations from Belgium and Poland. Metals and ores showed an increased value of $7.9 million, quantum figures over this extensive group being on the whole maintained. Under machinery and tools, there was a slight in- crease in value of $4.7 million, there being an increase under machinery and parts, not otherwise recorded, of $7.7 million, with a decline in the value of textile machinery and parts of $4.4 million. The value of the grouping books, maps, paper and wood pulp increased by $15.5 million. Common printing paper was higher in value by $4.7 million; paperware and all articles made of paper, not otherwise recorded, by $2.7 million; books and music, printed, engraved, or manuscript (including newspapers and periodicals), by $2.5 mil- lion; printing paper, not otherwise recorded, by $1.3 million; simile paper by $1.1 million; and kraft paper by $0.9 million. Other varieties showed little change from 1938. Imports of sugar, principally from Japan and Formosa, increased in value by $32.8 million. Under vehicles and vessels, the increase in value was nearly $12 million, the principal increases being in motor tractors, trailers and trucks of $5.8 million, largely from the United States of America, with an increase in motor cars and buses of $3.2 million and in motor-car parts and accessories (not including tires and tubes), also largely from America, of $2 million. Dyes, pigments, paints and varnishes showed an increase in value of $13.7 million, aniline dyes and other coal tar dyes, not otherwise recorded, increasing by $4.9 million and sulphur black by $4.2 million, the increase being in both cases due primarily to larger imports from Japan. Imports of tobacco were $14 million higher in value, the increases being $10 million under leaf tobacco, $1.5 million under tobacco, not otherwise recorded, and $1.7 million under cigarettes. Timber showed an increase in value of $12 million, while miscellaneous metal manufactures showed little change. Under fruits, seeds and vegetables, there was an increased import of beans and peas, principally from the Kwantung Leased Territory, valued at $6 million. Imports of foreign coal were higher in value by $4.5 million. Under wool and manufactures thereof, the increase in the value of carded or combed wool and waste wool was $7.8 million. Artificial silk floss and yarn increased in value by $6 million. there were increases in arrivals of fishery and sea products from Japan, while Japanese imports of tea also increased.
EXPORTS
The net value of exports increased from $763 million to $1,027 million, or by approximately 35 per cent. Comparative statistics for the net value of the export trade during the past three years are given below, arranged according to the groupings in the "Monthly Returns of the Foreign Trade of China" and in order of their importance during the year under review: