TNAG-1842-FCO40-2617-House-of-Commons-Select-Committee-on-Foreign-Affairs-enquiry-1989 — Page 6

FCO40 Hong Kong Department Records 聯邦事務部香港部檔案 All

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3-13 11:41

000

GOVT HOUSE

HK

construction

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activity ano a rapid rise in land prices,

accompanied by an equally rapia increase in credit and

considerable speculation. Towards the latter part of

period the economy was subject to significant

significant overheating

and inflationary pressures.

of the

13.

This inflationary boom subsided in 1982 and 1983,

partly because Hong Kong's trade had begun to be affected

by the world recession following the second 011 price

explosion, partly because the speculative fever in the

of the

property market had begun to subside of its own accord, but

also because of concern over the political future of the

territory. This commenced the most recent phase of

development of Hong Kong's economy. It has been divided

into two distinct periods: ä relative slowing down in

economic growth

hetween

1987 and 1985 and

acceleration from 1986 onwards.

renewed

14.

The most difficult period was the autumn of 1983

when the Hong Kong dollar, which had floated freely since

1974, came under severe speculative pressure. To deal with

situation, it was linked to the U.S. dollar at a new

fixed rate of HK$7.80=US$1.

this

15.

During this period of uncertainty, however, а new

and increasingly important factor began to appear in Hong

Kong's economy. This was the rapid increase in trade and

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