XN000022-1989-04-13 — Page 4

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THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 1989

CHINESE AND HK OFFICIALS TO RECIPROCATE VISITS

FENGMIN,

AT THE INVITATION OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, MR GUO HEAD OF THE HONG KONG AND MACAU AFFAIRS OFFICE OF THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA, WILL LEAD A GROUP OF FIVE OFFICIALS FROM THE MINISTRY TO VISIT HONG KONG FROM APRIL 19 TO 29.

AT THE INVITATION OF THE HONG KONG AND MACAU OFFICE OF THE STATE COUNCIL OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA, MR JOHN CHAN, SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, WILL LEAD A GROUP OF SIX HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS TO VISIT PEKING AND SHANGHAI FROM MAY 4 TO 13.

DECEMBER EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL STATISTICS RELEASED

IN

THERE WERE 837,100 PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR DECEMBER 1988, REPRESENTING A DECREASE OF 3.6 PER CENT IN COMPARISON WITH DECEMBER 1987, ACCORDING TO FIGURES RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.

EMPLOYMENT IN THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR, AT 711,300 IN DECEMBER 1988, WAS 8.1 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN DECEMBER 1987.

EMPLOYMENT IN THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR, AT 235,500, WAS UP BY 10.9 PER CENT.

EMPLOYMENT AT CONSTRUCTION SITES INCREASED BY 5.3 PER CENT COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 1987.

A DEPARTMENTAL SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE STATISTICS FOR SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY IN DECEMBER 1988 WERE DERIVED FROM THE QUARTERLY SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL CONDUCTED BY THE DEPARTMENT.

THESE SECTORS COVER THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR; THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR: AND THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR. THERE IS A SEPARATE EMPLOYMENT SURVEY COVERING CONSTRUCTION SITES.

THE OVERALL.