In the second quarter of 2023, 16.0% of Hong Kong's total exports to the mainland of China (the Mainland) were for outward processing in the Mainland. On the other hand, 28.4% of Hong Kong's imports from the Mainland were related to outward processing in the Mainland, according to statistics released today (September 11) by the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD). Over the same period, 60.4% of Hong Kong's re-exports of Mainland origin to other places were produced through outward processing in the Mainland.
 
     In the second quarter of 2022, the corresponding proportions were 16.9% for total exports to the Mainland, 30.1% for imports from the Mainland and 62.0% for re-exports of Mainland origin to other places.
 
     In the first half of 2023, 16.6% of Hong Kong's total exports to the Mainland were for outward processing in the Mainland. On the other hand, 29.1% of Hong Kong's imports from the Mainland were related to outward processing in the Mainland. Over the same period, 60.0% of Hong Kong's re-exports of Mainland origin to other places were produced through outward processing in the Mainland.
 
     The corresponding proportions in the first half of 2022 were 18.1% for total exports to the Mainland, 30.6% for imports from the Mainland and 60.9% for re-exports of Mainland origin to other places.
 
     In value terms, $88.6 billion of Hong Kong's total exports to the Mainland in the second quarter of 2023 were for outward processing in the Mainland, representing a decrease of 19.1% compared with the second quarter of 2022. On the other hand, the value of imports from the Mainland related to outward processing in the Mainland decreased by 14.7% compared with the second quarter of 2022 to $137.7 billion. Meanwhile, $165.7 billion of Hong Kong's re-exports of Mainland origin to other places were produced through outward processing in the Mainland, representing a decrease of 20.1% compared with the second quarter of 2022.
 
     In the first half of 2023, $175.1 billion of Hong Kong's total exports to the Mainland were for outward processing in the Mainland, representing a decrease of 25.5% compared with the first half of 2022. On the other hand, the value of imports from the Mainland related to outward processing in the Mainland decreased by 14.4% compared with the first half of 2022 to $270.3 billion. Meanwhile, $325.8 billion of Hong Kong's re-exports of Mainland origin to other places were produced through outward processing in the Mainland, representing a decrease of 18.8% compared with the first half of 2022.
 
     The statistics for the second quarter and first half of 2023 are given in the attached tables.
 
     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 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 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.
 
     Users can download the times series of outward processing trade statistics in Tables 410-52001 to 410-52003 (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/scode230.html) at the website of the C&SD.
 
     Enquiries on the survey results may be directed to the Electronic Trading Services and Cargo Statistics Section of the C&SD (Tel: 2582 2126 or email: ops@censtatd.gov.hk).

Ends/Monday, September 11, 2023
Issued at HKT 16:30

NNNN