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In the fourth quarter of 2012, 32% of Hong Kong's total exports to the mainland of China (the Mainland) were for outward processing. The proportion was 14% for domestic exports and 32% for re-exports. On the other hand, 40% of Hong Kong's imports from the Mainland were related to outward processing, according to statistics released today (March 19) by the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD). Over the same period, 76% of Hong Kong's re-exports of the Mainland origin to other places were produced through outward processing in the Mainland.
The corresponding proportions for exports to the Mainland in the fourth quarter of 2011 were 33% for total exports, 15% for domestic exports and 33% for re-exports; while the proportions for imports from the Mainland and for re-exports of the Mainland origin to other places were 47% and 71% respectively.
Taking the year 2012 as a whole, 32% of Hong Kong's total exports to the Mainland were for outward processing; the figure was 16% for domestic exports and 32% for re-exports. On the other hand, 41% of Hong Kong's imports from the Mainland were related to outward processing. Over the same period, 74% of Hong Kong's re-exports of the Mainland origin to other places were produced through outward processing in the Mainland.
The corresponding proportions in 2011 were 32% for total exports to the Mainland, 15% for domestic exports to the Mainland, 32% for re-exports to the Mainland, 47% for imports from the Mainland and 73% for re-exports of the Mainland origin to other places.
In value terms, $159.4 billion of Hong Kong's total exports to the Mainland in the fourth quarter of 2012 were for outward processing, representing an increase of 8% compared with the fourth quarter of 2011. The value of domestic exports to the Mainland for outward processing decreased by 14% to $0.9 billion while the value of re-exports to the Mainland for outward processing increased by 8% to $158.5 billion. Over the same period of comparison, the value of imports from the Mainland related to outward processing increased slightly by 1% to $207.9 billion. On the other hand, $239.8 billion of Hong Kong's re-exports of the Mainland origin to other places were produced through outward processing in the Mainland, representing an increase of 9% compared with the fourth quarter of 2011.
For the whole year of 2012, $586.0 billion of Hong Kong's total exports to the Mainland were for outward processing, representing an increase of 5% compared with 2011. The value of domestic exports to the Mainland for outward processing decreased by 14% to $4.1 billion whereas that of re-exports to the Mainland for outward processing increased by 6% to $581.9 billion. Over the same period of comparison, the value of imports from the Mainland related to outward processing decreased by 5% to $763.6 billion. On the other hand, $895.6 billion of Hong Kong's re-exports of the Mainland origin to other places were produced through outward processing in the Mainland, representing a slight increase of 1% compared with 2011.
The statistics for the fourth quarter and the whole year of 2012 and their percentage changes over the same period in 2011 are given in the attached table.
Information on trade involving outward processing in the Mainland is collected in a sample survey conducted by the C&SD. For the purpose of the survey, exports to the Mainland for outward processing refer to raw materials or semi-manufactures exported from or through Hong Kong to the Mainland for processing with a contractual arrangement for subsequent re-importation of the processed goods into Hong Kong.
Imports from the Mainland related to outward processing refer to processed goods imported from the Mainland, of which all or part of the raw materials or semi-manufactures have been under contractual arrangement exported from or through Hong Kong to the Mainland for processing.
Re-exports of the Mainland origin to other places involving outward processing in the Mainland refer to processed goods re-exported through Hong Kong, of which all or part of the raw materials or semi-manufactures have been exported from or through Hong Kong to the Mainland for processing with a contractual arrangement for subsequent re-importation of the processed goods into Hong Kong.
In interpreting the statistics, it should be noted that all imports and exports of goods (not including transhipments and goods-in-transit) are recorded as external trade, irrespective of whether the goods are associated with outward processing or not. Moreover, the value and proportion of imports from the Mainland and re-exports of the Mainland origin to other places involving outward processing in the Mainland refer to those of the entire goods instead of just the value added contributed by outward processing in the Mainland.
A sample of import/export declarations in respect of Hong Kong's trade with the Mainland and Hong Kong's re-exports originated in the Mainland to other places is selected for enumeration to obtain the required information from the establishments concerned. The findings of the survey facilitate a more informed analysis of the nature of Hong Kong's trade with the Mainland. In this respect, the survey results are a useful supplement to the regular trade statistics.
The above survey results will be included in the March 2013 issue of the Hong Kong External Merchandise Trade. The publication will be available in mid-May 2013. Users can download this publication free of charge from the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/hkstat/sub/sp230.jsp?productCode=B1020005).
Enquiries on the survey results may be directed to the Electronic Trading Services and Research Section of the C&SD (Tel: 2582 2126).
Ends/Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Issued at HKT 16:30
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