XN000022-1996-05-16 — Page 14

-

13.

Statistics on trade involving outward processing in China

In the fourth quarter of 1995, 49% of Hong Kong's total exports to China were for outward processing; the figure was 72% for domestic exports, and 46% for re- exports.

On the other hand, 73% of Hong Kong's imports from China were related to outward processing, according to statistics released today (Thursday) by the Census and Statistics Department.

Over the same period, 83% of Hong Kong's re-exports of China origin to all countries other than China were produced through outward processing in China.

The corresponding proportions in the fourth quarter of 1994 were 48% for total exports to China, 68% for domestic exports to China, 45% for re-exports to China, 71% for imports from China and 83% for re-exports of China origin to all countries other than China.

Taking the year 1995 as a whole, 49% of Hong Kong's total exports to China were for outward processing; the figure was 71% for domestic exports, and 45% for re-exports. On the other hand, 74% of Hong Kong's imports from China were related to outward processing.

Over the same period, 82% of Hong Kong's re-exports of China origin to all countries other than China were produced through outward processing in China. Similar proportions figures were observed in 1994.

To provide a better understanding of the nature and importance of outward processing in China initiated by Hong Kong firms, the Census and Statistics. Department has been conducting a sample survey as from the third quarter of 1988 to distinguish Hong Kong's exports to China into those which are for outward processing and those which are not.

The scope of the survey has been extended as from the first quarter of 1989 to segregate Hong Kong's imports from China into those which are related to outward processing and those which are not.

Starting from the first quarter of 1991, the scope of the survey has further been extended to cover Hong Kong's re-exports of China origin to all countries other than China.