TNAG-1887-FCO40-2679-Overseas-visits-by-Sir-David-Wilson--Governor-of-Hong-Kong---1990 — Page 147

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The phenomenal growth of the reexport trade, up

51% between 1978 and 1988, is not the only significant

change in the pattern of our trade. We are increasingly a

distribution point for non-China regional trade. Last year

saw a 45% growth in this trade. Over half of our total

trade is now with the Asian region. Your own figures

reflect a similar trend. For the past decade your trade

across the Pacific has exceeded that across the Atlantic.

We are no longer so reliant as we were on the

United States as a market. Even so, you are still the

largest market for our exports. You take one third of

everything we produce. And with increasing prosperity we

buy more from you. Last year every man, woman and child in

Hong Kong bought just under US$1000 worth of US goods. That

is three time more per head than Japan and four times more

than the European community.

You on the West Coast are perhaps more aware of

Hong Kong is California's

these changes than other states.

sixth largest trading partner. In 1988 you sold $2.4

billion worth of goods to Hong Kong, an increase of over

40% on the year before. Much of this is high quality

foodstuffs. In fact it reads like a grocery list. We are

your biggest market for oranges. We are in the top three

for grapes, prunes, plums, melons, tomatoes, cabbage,

celery, lettuce, peppers, apples, cherries and lemons.