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The following figures, taken from returns for 1924 (the last avail- able), show the principal countries with which trade is carried on:-
Imported from Exported to
£
United Kingdom
Germany
Belgium
Holland
France
Italy
Sweden
£
9,450,000
744,000
1,835,000
132,000
690,000
19,000
326,000
107,000
319,000
79,000
259,000
6,000
178,000
Other European Countries
189,000
2,000 16,000
United States of America
5,915,000
2,489,000
Cuba, Central & S. America
169,000
933,000
Japan, Korea & Formosa
9,127,000
3,523,000
Australia
1,042,000
428,000
Canada
733,000
410,000
New Zealand
54,000
62,000
Foreign Countries Miscellane-
ous
195,000
38,000
£30,482,000
£8,988,000
The Scale of Hong Kong's trade with neighbouring countries is indicated by the following figures, also taken from the statistics for 1924:-
Imported from Exported to
£
£
India Ceylon
1,998,000
805,000
21,000
133,000
Burmah
1,051,000
224,000
Straits Settlements & F.M.S.
1,692,000
2,893,000
British North Borneo
277,000
129,000
China
*25,974,000
39,738,000
Netherlands East Indies
9,457,000
1,054,000
French Indo-China
10,994,000
5,135,000
Siam
6,262,000
2,580,000
Philippine Islands
Total
654,000 1,719,000
58,380,000 54,360,000
Hong Kong's own consumption and production of commodities is comparatively small; one of its main functions is to act as an entrepot and clearing house for the products of South China and for the world's manufactured goods passing into South China.
*This figure is obtained from the Chinese Maritime Customs Returns.
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However, owing to the fact that no duties are levied upon com- modities, except liquors and tobacco, whereas China levies import and export duties upon all commodities, the tendency has been for a number of manufacturing processes to be established in the Colony, c.g., sugar and tin refining, cement making and ginger preserving; there are also several factories weaving cotton manufactured goods, and hundreds of native workshops manufacturing rattan ware and similar products.
Much of the voluminous trade with neighbouring countries com- prises purely Chinese commodities and is carried on by Chinese firms in Hong Kong with branches elsewhere. Trade with Europe, the Americas and Australasia is principally in the hands of British and foreign import and export firms who do business with the Chinese mercantile community established in Hong Kong, purchasing from them the products of China which have been assembled from the interior, and selling manufactured goods which pass on from wholesale tc retail dealers and so to the small shopkeepers in the interior of of China. The lack of modern means of communication in China necessarily makes the process slow and difficult.
The Chinese written language is a great hindrance to direct deal- ings between Chinese traders and merchants and manufacturers in foreign countries; another obstacle is lack of confidence by shippers overseas the product of many regrettable experiences. The sub- stantial British and foreign firms in Hong Kong, with their branches in the Treaty Ports of China, serve a definitely useful purpose in acting as intermediaries between Chinese and overseas traders. Owing to the hindrances to commerce resulting from the language difficulty and the lack of education of the proprietors of native manufactories it would be impossible for firms abroad to do business direct. As a rule letters would not be answered, and, even if contact were established, there would be no means of ensuring deliveries in accordance with sample. It is in this matter, especially, that the foreign exporters protect the interests of buyers abroad. Enquiries as to the South China market should be addressed to the General Chamber of Commerce, Hong Kong.
V. Communications.
SHIPPING,
The total Shipping entering and clearing Ports in the Colony during the year 1927 amounted to 298,707 vessels of 44,127,161 tons which, compared with the figures for 1926, shows a decrease of 261,566 vessels entered and cleared and an increase of 330,725 tons.
Of the above 51,289 vessels of 36,834,014 tons were engaged in Foreign Trade as compared with 30,231 vessels of 28,371,104 tons in 1926.
There was an increase in British Ocean-going shipping of 460 ships of 403,023 tons entered and cleared.
Foreign Ocean-going vessels show an increase of 2,299 ships entered and cleared giving an increase of 3,982,445 tons.
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