18
third quarter of 1986.
retained imports of industrial
Of
goods picked up in the
particular note were the
machinery for use in the manufacturing sector, which grew
by about 23% in real terms in the first nine months of
1986, after a decline of 4% in 1985 as a whole.
In the property market, demand for most types of
private sector property has been strong this year
reflecting a revival of interest in property investment
generally. Following a strong recovery in the property
market in 1985, prices and rentals held firm, while
trading in property was active.
(c) Trade relations
Hong Kong's longer term economic
performance
The threat of
remains dependent on external forces.
protectionism in Hong Kong's major export
particularly the United States,
remains.
markets,
For China,
while export prospects in the longer term appear good
given China's modernization drive, Hong Kong's domestic
exports and re-exports to China have been affected by its
tighter control on imports since April 1985.