UK CONFIDENTIAL
14.
Given the high population density the colony is already highly urbanised and further urban development continues steadily. The main centres of popula- tion are (1976 figures):
Location
Hong Kong island
Population
1 026 000
Remarks
Victoria, the colony's capital, together with Aberdeen, Stanley and the remainder of the island.
Kowloon
New Kowloon
748 000
1 619 000
New Territories
938 000
Others
76 000
Boat dwellers and transients
Economy and Food
The
15. Hong Kong's economy is based on a highly developed light industry sector, which exports 80-90% of its output, its entrepot trade and activities as a financial centre providing banking and international trade facilities. main industries are clothing and textiles, electronics, and toys. Although the relative importance of the entrepot trade has declined over the past 25 years the free port status still continues to attract considerable business and re-exports accounted for 10.5% of total exports in 1977. Tourism is the colony's second largest earner of foreign exchange.
16. Hong Kong has an increasing vegetable growing industry and 4974 hectares are used for this purpose at present (together with flowers). Rice and fruit are also grown. Although Hong Kong lies in the double cropping rice zone, more profitable vegetable crops have increasingly displaced rice during the past 25 years. However, most of the Colony's foodstuffs are still imported, mainly from China. It is Government policy to foster the growth of the agriculture industry to make the territory as self-sufficient in foodstuffs as possible, and marine fish is now one of Hong Kong's more important primary products.
Airfields
17. There are two airfields in Hong Kong but only one of these is operational. Brief details are as follows:
Name and Elevation
HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL (E3) 15 ft
Main Details
11 130 x 200 ft Asphalt. Boeing 747 aircraft. Extensive parking and refuelling facilities
4
Remarks
A major international airport with excellent facilities which handles scheduled traffic from 25 international air- lines. Built on the old Kai Tak airfield and reclaimed land with the runway extending out into the sea.
UK CONFIDENTIAL