ENG-1955 — Page 88

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HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT

four spinning mills and held discussions with representatives of the Hong Kong Cotton Spinners' Association and with government officials.

TRADE CONTROL

In May, as a result of improved anti-smuggling export controls, it became possible to abolish the Essential Supplies Certificates system of internal control, thus simplifying importing procedure. Import controls over strategic materials were maintained on a quantitative basis, and in December import restrictions over a large number of minor strategic items were considerably eased to permit importers to hold larger stocks. Export controls over strategic items remained unchanged, except that a few special shipments were per- mitted under internationally agreed procedures where the end-use of the commodity was of no strategic significance.

OVERSEAS REPRESENTATION

There is a Hong Kong Government Office in London, administered by a Director and situated in Grand Buildings, Trafalgar Square, W.C.2., and there is a Hong Kong Section, under a Representative with the rank of First Secretary, in the British Embassy, Tokyo.

Among Commonwealth countries, India is represented in Hong Kong by a Commissioner, and Canada and Australia by Trade Commissioners. There is also a United Kingdom Trade Commissioner. Consulates-General are maintained by Belgium, Brazil, France, Germany, Indo- nesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, Panama, Thailand and the United States. Consulates are maintained by Argentina, Norway, Paraguay, the Philippines, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland and Vietnam. The consular representa- tives of Czechoslovakia, Mexico, Poland, Spain and Turkey, resident in London, and the Israel Trade Commissioner, resident in Bombay, have jurisdiction extending to Hong Kong. Austria, Burma, Costa Rica, Denmark, Dominica, Finland, Greece, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Spain and Uruguay have Honorary Consuls resident in Hong Kong.