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HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT
imports are swine, rice, eggs and fresh water fish, the value of which has declined considerably since 1958; a decrease in the value of poultry imports was also marked. Other imports of value are cotton grey sheeting, embroidered table linen, plants and seeds for use in medicine and perfumery, and cement. The value of total exports to China continued its downward trend, being worth $114.33 million in 1959; of this figure $105.46 million were re- exports. Of importance among these re-exports were sulphate of ammonia fertilizers, gunny bags, linen fabrics, plants and seeds for medicine and perfumery, coal-tar dyestuffs other than indigo, antibiotics, base metals and machinery.
Japan expanded her world trade in 1959, following the general decline at the end of 1957 and 1958. The value of imports from Japan into Hong Kong has grown from $596.99 million in 1958 to $769.60 million in 1959 and puts Japan second to China on the import list. Of this total some 44% was in textiles, especially white and dyed cotton piecegoods and spun rayon piecegoods. Electrical machinery (mainly radio sets), non-mineral manufac- tures (cement); textile machinery, soya bean oil, and miscellaneous manufactured goods such as zip fasteners and articles of plastics were of importance. Many of these imports are destined for re- export to South-East Asia, U.S.A. and Europe. Japan took fourth place in respect of total exports, valued at $231.11 million and of exports at $93.49 million; but second place in respect of re- exports, valued at $137.61 million. The principal export was metal scrap, mainly iron and steel, bronze and brass, and which accounted for some 87% of the value. Re-exports consisted of vegetables, especially beans, peas and lentils, soya beans, sheep's and lamb's wool and woollen fabrics.
Thailand and Indonesia both exhibited similar trends during 1959 showing an increase in the value of their imports into Hong Kong compared with 1958-$36.59 million in the case of Thailand, $8.16 million in the case of Indonesia-and a fall in total exports, Thailand a fall of $70.19 million, Indonesia of $135.59 million. Imports from Thailand were valued at $196.88 million of which 61% was rice and 19% bovine cattle and swine; teakwood and vegetables were also imported. Of the $102.84 million worth of imports from Indonesia $85.28 million represented petroleum products; rattan canes accounted for a further 13%. Exports to