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one part of China and re-exported to another.
(d) Non-Chinese entrepôt trade, i.e. goods imported
from a non-Chinese country and re-exported to
another non-Chinese country.
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(25) It is estimated that only about one third of the
imports into Hong Kong consists of goods intended for retention
in the Colony and that less than one tenth of the exports are of
goods originating there. The bulk of the trade of the Port is
transhipment or entrepôt. The very important function which the
Port performs in this respect is due to the fact that between
Shanghai and Indo-China there is no other deep-sea harbour having
convenient access to the interior as well as safe anchorage
and efficient equipment and facilities. Goods in transit to and
from China and other Asiatic countries must in the main be
conveyed in deep-draughted ships and discharged at some point
into smaller coasting vessels or into warehouses ashore, or vice
versa as the case may be. Hong Kong serves this purpose, and is
able to secure the business because of the position of its
excellent Harbour coupled with the cheapness of its facilities.
EXISTING FACILITIES OF THE PORT.
(26) Piers. The waterway of about 17 square miles in area
between the island of Hong Kong and the mainland forms a
magnificent natural harbour and has a depth varying from 24 to
78 feet, there being a rise at spring tides normally of only
about 8 feet. This small range of tide renders it unnecessary
for enclosed docks with locks to be provided, and therefore the
accommodation for the berthing of vessels has taken the usual
form in such circumstances, viz: fixed piers projecting from
the shore into the waterway.
(27) They are of varying design and utility and have been
constructed around the Harbour to serve particular trades. The majority of them are privately owned and stand on sites that
have been leased by the Government at an annual rent. There are
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