CONFIDENTIAL
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機密
12.
In the longer run, the role of Hong Kong as an entrepôt between China and South Korea could well be reduced if more direct trade between them is developed as diplomatic links improve (footnote (2)). This is likely to be the case inasmuch as for much trade routing through Hong Kong would then be uneconomical. It is only a few hundred miles across the Yellow Sea from China to South Korea, but if goods are moved from Northeast China to Hong Kong and then to South Korea the journey would be about 4000 miles. It is reported that direct trade between China and South Korea in coal and other commodities has in
practice been going on for at least two years and efforts are being made to promote direct trade and economic cooperation between China and South Korea on a non-governmental basis. Nevetheless, Hong Kong's role seems unlikely to disappear in view of its expertise and experience in doing business with both China and South Korea and its favourable location for trade between South
Korea and South China.
Economic Analysis Division Economic Services Branch Government Secretariat 7 March 1989
CONFIDENTIAL #
姓名 機密