October 2021 / Hong Kong

October 6 2021

Hong Kong Government Responds to Inclusion in EU’s Watchlist on Tax Co-Operation

The Hong Kong government announced on 5 October 2021 that it will amend the Inland Revenue Ordinance by the end of 2022 and implement relevant measures in 2023 to help combat cross-border evasion. The announcement was made in a response to the inclusion of Hong Kong in the European Union (EU) watchlist on tax co-operation due to concerns about double non-taxation of certain foreign sourced passive income (such as interest and royalties) under Hong Kong's territorial tax system.

According to the announcement, the proposed legislative amendments will target corporations, particularly those with no substantial economic activity in Hong Kong, but individual taxpayers will not be affected. The proposed amendments will also not affect financial institutions whose offshore interest income is already subject to tax in Hong Kong.

The government reiterated its participation in and support of international tax cooperation efforts. At the same time, it stated that Hong Kong will continue to adopt the territorial source principle of taxation and uphold a simple, certain and low-tax regime with a view to maintaining the competitiveness of Hong Kong's business environment.

The government will request the EU to remove Hong Kong from the watchlist after the relevant tax arrangements have been amended.

Hong Kong was previously listed on the watchlist in December 2017 and subsequently removed in March 2019 after making tax reforms in areas such as transparency and fair taxation.

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October 21 2021

Hong Kong Logistics: Dual Circulation Supply Chains Assessed

Hong Kong is Asia’s leading logistics hub, through which many companies deliver goods to and from mainland China and other countries and territories around the world. In the Outline of the 14th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development of the People's Republic of China and the Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035 (the 14th Five-Year Plan, Chinese only) issued in March 2021, the “dual circulation” development paradigm was put forward in which “domestic and overseas markets reinforce each other, with the domestic market as the mainstay.” China is set to promote the development of high-tech industries, increase domestic demand, and continue to enhance its global trade network. Hong Kong, as an important logistics hub in the region, is well placed to capitalise on supply chain opportunities emerging from the dual circulation policy, which in turn will strengthen the city’s position as an international shipping, trading and aviation centre. This article analyses Hong Kong’s trade statistics during the period 2010-2020, highlighting the categories and transportation modes of Hong Kong’s merchandise imports and exports, as well as Hong Kong’s functions, roles and advantages in regional supply chains. It is hoped the analysis will help chart the city’s trade and logistics development directions more effectively going forward.
1. Changes in Hong Kong’s merchandise imports and exports The tables below list changes in the value of Hong Kong’s merchandise imports and exports in 2010-2020:

Top 20 Hong Kong Import Commodity Categories 2010-2020

(by two-digit commodity code under Hong Kong Harmonized System) (HK$ million)

Commodity category (two-digit commodity code)

2010

2015

2019

2020

2010-2020 CAGR
Total Import Value

3,364,840

4,046,420

4,415,440

4,269,752

2.4%
85 Electrical machinery and equipment and parts

1,469,365

2,061,305

2,409,998

2,495,273

5.4%
84 Machinery and mechanical appliances

448,893

479,624

519,691

521,648

1.5%
71 Jewellery and precious metals

195,677

284,832

309,103

248,972

2.4%
90 Instruments and apparatus

107,176

115,509

138,434

138,562

2.6%
27 Mineral fuels and oils

119,270

93,817

112,566

68,641

-5.4%
33 Perfumery and cosmetics

16,808

30,983

50,057

66,364

14.7%
39 Plastics

116,427

92,050

64,598

55,342

-7.2%
91 Clocks and watches

57,711

73,661

62,778

47,880

-1.9%
02 Meat

32,956

40,965

42,362

40,876

2.2%
08 Fruit and nuts

19,387

29,059

35,759

31,259

4.9%
42 Articles of leather

39,341

41,066

38,490

28,658

-3.1%
61 Knitted apparel

68,385

56,644

41,226

28,306

-8.4%
62 Apparel, not knitted

53,663

51,717

40,717

27,839

-6.4%
95 Toys and games

75,900

44,568

32,696

27,784

-9.6%
97 Artwork and antiques

6,080

18,741

38,283

22,414

13.9%
87 Vehicles

29,109

37,733

28,990

22,333

-2.6%
30 Pharmaceutical products

15,608

18,395

21,831

22,242

3.6%
03 Seafood

21,331

24,342

23,451

20,064

-0.6%
22 Beverages, spirits and vinegar

15,547

22,393

22,329

19,340

2.2%
70 Glass and glassware

12,144

15,490

16,494

19,291

4.7%
Source: Census and Statistics Department Note 1: The commodity descriptions have been simplified. For detailed descriptions and classifications under the Hong Kong Harmonized System, please visit the Census and Statistics Department website. Note 2: Statistics for 2019 are included to provide a clear picture of Hong Kong’s imports prior to Covid-19.

Top 20 Hong Kong Export Commodity Categories 2010-2020

(by two-digit commodity code under Hong Kong Harmonized System) (HK$ million)

Commodity category (two-digit commodity code)

2010

2015

2019

2020

2010-2020 CAGR
Total Export Value

3,031,019

3,605,279

3,988,685

3,927,517

2.6%
85 Electrical machinery and equipment and parts

1,405,385

1,930,431

2,355,155

2,417,041

5.6%
84 Machinery and mechanical appliances

427,815

502,051

551,473

579,913

3.1%
71 Jewellery and precious metals

163,192

225,256

219,559

196,757

1.9%
90 Instruments and apparatus

109,042

113,235

140,482

142,879

2.7%
39 Plastics

109,405

95,327

70,769

62,002

-5.5%
91 Clocks and watches

57,608

76,721

64,223

46,386

-2.1%
33 Perfumery and cosmetics

8,020

14,858

31,369

38,149

16.9%
95 Toys and games

87,449

57,142

42,846

35,628

-8.6%
61 Knitted apparel

96,931

70,963

48,250

32,934

-10.2%
62 Apparel, not knitted

80,855

64,153

43,075

27,851

-10.1%
42 Articles of leather

46,739

41,352

34,493

27,304

-5.2%
70 Glass and glassware

7,553

18,519

24,440

25,500

12.9%
08 Fruit and nuts

8,544

14,676

24,080

21,255

9.5%
38 Miscellaneous chemical products

10,505

10,549

11,164

19,684

6.5%
64 Footwear

43,328

30,315

23,220

16,479

-9.2%
97 Artwork and antiques

2,263

5,569

20,212

11,186

17.3%
30 Pharmaceutical products

12,129

11,321

11,276

10,991

-1.0%
74 Copper and articles thereof

20,986

10,810

13,529

10,756

-6.5%
49 Printed books and newspapers

14,743

14,718

13,058

10,719

-3.1%
60 Knitted fabrics

19,596

18,532

13,508

10,338

-6.2%
Source: Census and Statistics Department Note 1: The commodity descriptions have been simplified. For detailed commodity descriptions and classifications under the Hong Kong Harmonized System, please visit the Census and Statistics Department website. Note 2: Statistics for 2019 are included to provide a clear picture of Hong Kong’s exports prior to Covid-19.
According to the 2010-2020 import-export statistics above, commodity categories with import/export value compound annual growth rate (CAGR) higher than the total trade value CAGR (imports 2.4%, exports 2.6%) are: “85 Electrical machinery and equipment and parts” (import CAGR 5.4%, export CAGR 5.6%); “90 Instruments and apparatus” (import CAGR 2.6%, export CAGR 2.7%); “33 Perfumery and cosmetics” (import CAGR 14.7%, export CAGR 16.9%); and “97 Artwork and antiques” (import CAGR 13.9%, export CAGR 17.3%). During the same period, commodity categories with CAGR lower than the total trade value are: “39 Plastics” (import CAGR -7.2%, export CAGR -5.5%); “95 Toys and games” (import CAGR -9.6%, export CAGR -8.6%); “61 Knitted apparel” (import CAGR -8.4%, export CAGR -10.2%); and “62 Apparel, not knitted” (import CAGR -6.4%, export CAGR -10.1%). Based on these figures, it can be deduced that most of the commodities currently imported into or exported from Hong Kong tend to be high value-added products. These commodities mainly fall under two categories. First, products that have high requirements in terms of security and transport packaging and environment (such as humidity and temperature). Examples include jewellery and artwork. Second, products with a higher value and requiring such services as temporary storage, repackaging and transhipment. Examples include electronic parts, and precision instrument parts and components. Under "One Country, Two Systems", Hong Kong does not levy import tariffs on most commodities. As such, enterprises can freely arrange for parts to be assembled in Hong Kong before delivering them in bulk to factories in the mainland or other regions, thereby lowering cost as well as enhancing supply chain efficiency. Trade statistics in the last 10 years show that enterprises have full confidence in Hong Kong’s reliable and highly efficient logistics services, as well as the advantages offered by "One Country, Two Systems" . Yet, for commodities which only require simple processing (such as toys and apparel), since all the production procedures are completed in the same region, finished products can be shipped directly to the target consumer market and the transport mode and route used are more direct. This, coupled with the fact that in recent years the logistics facilities in many Asian countries and territories (in particular mainland China) have greatly improved and many ports in Asia have set up regular shipping schedules and routes with various countries around the world, has lured an increasing number of enterprises to opt to export commodities directly from the place of production in order to lower transhipment costs through Hong Kong. As a result, the value of trade of these products registered in Hong Kong has been declining in the past years.
2. Mode of transport Under the mainland’s dual circulation paradigm, Hong Kong is the meeting point of domestic circulation and international circulation. Hong Kong’s international airport and port connect to over 2001 and about 4702 worldwide destinations respectively. Meanwhile, Hong Kong’s trade with the mainland accounts for 52% of the city’s total trade value3. Evidently, Hong Kong serves as a regional logistics hub where large quantities of goods are shipped to and from mainland China as well as other countries and territories. Listed in the table below are the shares of different modes of transport for all commodity categories in Hong Kong’s total import and total export value in 2020:

2020 Import Value (HK$ million)

2020 Export Value (HK$ million)

Import Transport Mode (share of cargo value)

Export Transport Mode ​​​​​​​(share of cargo value)
Air Sea Land River Other Air Sea Land River Other
Total import/export value

4,269,752

3,927,517

48%

12%

38%

1%

1%

37%

13%

48%

2%

0%
Yet, what are the modes of transport used by various commodity categories? What are the differences in various commodities’ supply chains? While a total of 25 product types in the top 20 import and export commodity categories are listed in the tables above, the tables below show the shares of different transport modes in the total value of these import and export goods, briefly analysing the importance of each mode of transport. However, it should be noted that trade value and trade volume are not necessarily related.
Electromechanical Products and Instruments

2020 Import Value (HK$ million)

2020 Export Value (HK$ million)

Import Transport Mode (share of cargo value)

Export Transport Mode (share of cargo value)
Air Sea Land River Other Air Sea Land River Other
85 Electrical machinery and equipment and parts

2,495,273

2,417,041

55%

3%

41%

1%

0%

35%

8%

56%

1%

0%
84 Machinery and mechanical appliances

521,648

579,913

37%

11%

51%

1%

0%

40%

14%

45%

2%

0%
90 Instruments and apparatus

138,562

142,879

38%

12%

50%

1%

0%

46%

12%

40%

1%

0%
87 Vehicles

22,333

8,356

7%

71%

20%

1%

0%

8%

60%

7%

25%

0%
Source: Census and Statistics Department
In imported and exported electromechanical products and instruments transport, air transport and land transport cargo value accounts for a larger share of total cargo value, while sea freight accounts for a smaller share (with the exception of “87 Vehicles”). The fact that land transport accounts for a relatively large share in the value of imported and exported electromechanical products and instruments indicates that quite a lot of such products are shipped to and from the southern provinces of China via Hong Kong over land. Quite often, these products are imported into Hong Kong by air and then exported to mainland China by land. Such products also enter Hong Kong from the mainland by land and are then exported to various countries and territories around the world by air via Hong Kong. While the import and export of certain electromechanical products and instruments would also use sea transport, it is believed that their unit value tends to be rather low or their size rather large. As mentioned above, “85 Electrical machinery and equipment and parts” is one of the categories with import-export value CAGR higher than that of total trade in a span of 10 years. In 2019, the total industrial output value of computer, communication and other electronic equipment manufacturers above designated size in Guangdong province was 2.2 times (in nominal terms) that of 2010. Its share in Guangdong’s total industrial output value also rose from 22% in 2010 to 28% in 20194. To a certain extent, this shows the reason why these products account for the highest value in Hong Kong’s total and that their trade value has continued to grow. “87 Vehicles” mainly use marine transport because vehicles and parts are mostly bulky and are not seasonal goods, hence timeliness is not the most important factor. As such, sea freight is the most cost-effective transport mode.
Luxury Consumer Goods

2020 Import Value (HK$ million)

2020 Export Value (HK$ million)

Import Transport Mode (share of cargo value)

Export Transport Mode (share of cargo value)
Air Sea Land River Other Air Sea Land River Other
71 Jewellery and precious metals

248,972

196,757

81%

2%

15%

1%

2%

73%

12%

13%

1%

1%
33 Perfumery and cosmetics

66,364

38,149

61%

31%

7%

1%

0%

11%

17%

49%

23%

0%
91 Clocks and watches

47,880

46,386

69%

2%

25%

3%

1%

71%

10%

13%

5%

2%
22 Beverages, spirits and vinegar

19,340

5,066

16%

52%

4%

5%

23%

4%

38%

37%

21%

0%
97 Artwork and antiques

22,414

11,186

96%

2%

1%

0%

0%

95%

3%

2%

1%

0%
Source: Census and Statistics Department
Luxury consumer goods import and export mainly uses air freight for two reasons. First, security considerations: using air transport not only reduces delivery time, but also indirectly lower transportation risks. Second, timeliness: since most of these luxury consumer products (e.g. perfume, cosmetics, festive jewellery etc) are seasonal, suppliers have to deliver the goods to the consumer in time. In the export value of “33 Perfumery and cosmetics”, land transport accounts for up to 49%, indicating that Hong Kong is one of the mainland’s leading distribution centres for international perfumery and cosmetics brands. It is worth noting that river transport accounts for 23% of the export value of “33 Perfumery and cosmetics” and 21% of the export value of “22 Beverages, spirits and vinegar”. This is due to the fact that in Hong Kong’s statistical classification, goods transported to Macao by water are counted as river transport. In 2020, Hong Kong’s exports of “33 Perfumery and cosmetics” and “22 Beverages, spirits and vinegar” to Macao accounted for 23% and 24% respectively5 of the total export value of these products. This shows that Hong Kong is an important logistics partner with Macao in its pursuit to develop into a tourist centre.
General Consumer Goods

2020 Import Value (HK$ million)

2020 Export Value (HK$ million)

Import Transport Mode (share of cargo value)

Export Transport Mode (share of cargo value)
Air Sea Land River Other Air Sea Land River Other
42 Articles of leather

28,658

27,304

66%

7%

23%

3%

0%

52%

32%

8%

8%

0%
61 Knitted apparel

28,306

32,934

32%

15%

48%

6%

0%

38%

52%

6%

4%

0%
62 Apparel, not knitted

27,839

27,851

32%

13%

39%

16%

0%

38%

53%

5%

4%

0%
95 Toys and games

27,784

35,628

10%

10%

66%

14%

0%

16%

72%

10%

2%

0%
30 Pharmaceutical products

22,242

10,991

63%

32%

4%

1%

0%

24%

33%

22%

20%

1%
70 Glass and glassware

19,291

25,500

10%

31%

60%

0%

0%

6%

6%

87%

1%

0%
64 Footwear

17,090

16,479

34%

20%

38%

8%

0%

34%

42%

17%

7%

0%
60 Knitted fabrics

9,966

10,338

3%

11%

81%

5%

0%

7%

77%

14%

3%

0%
49 Printed books and newspapers

7,917

10,719

12%

7%

59%

23%

0%

9%

71%

17%

2%

1%
Source: Census and Statistics Department
Among general consumer products, apart from “42 Articles of leather” which mainly use air freight for import and export and “30 Pharmaceutical products” which rely on air transport for import, the import value of most of the other general consumer goods transported by land is higher, while the export value of these products transported by sea is higher. This shows that mainland manufacturing enterprises ship finished products to Hong Kong by land for export to consumer markets the world over via sea. Marine transport is normally lower cost and is therefore used for shipping commodities with a lower unit price, such as apparel, toys and shoes. As for trade in “70 Glass and glassware”, the import and export values by land transport account for 60% and 87% of the total value respectively. This indicates that Hong Kong is a main distribution centre for mainland glass and glassware. In other words, glass and glassware from the mainland and other countries and territories converge in Hong Kong and are then transported to the mainland by land.
Food Products

2020 Import Value (HK$ million)

2020 Export Value (HK$ million)

Import Transport Mode (share of cargo value)

Export Transport Mode (share of cargo value)
Air Sea Land River Other Air Sea Land River Other
02 Meat

40,876

3,091

6%

86%

8%

0%

0%

0%

76%

0%

24%

0%
08 Fruit and nuts

31,259

21,255

8%

88%

4%

0%

0%

0%

6%

92%

2%

0%
03 Seafood

20,064

2,481

39%

36%

26%

0%

0%

15%

61%

9%

15%

0%
Source: Census and Statistics Department
Among food products, it is worth noting that the difference between the import value and export value of “02 Meat” as well as “03 Seafood” is quite significant. This means that the majority of imported meat and seafood should be for local consumption. Since some local consumers prefer the freshest possible seafood (e.g. sashimi-grade Japanese food), such products have to be delivered from the place of origin to Hong Kong within the shortest possible time and that explains why a considerable proportion of seafood is imported by air. As for fruit and nuts export, most are transported by land (92%), indicating that currently Hong Kong is a leading logistics transit hub for the mainland’s imported fruit and nuts consumer market.
Industrial Supplies

2020 Import Value (HK$ million)

2020 Export Value (HK$ million)

Import Transport Mode (share of cargo value)

Export Transport Mode (share of cargo value)

Air

Sea

Land

River

Other

Air

Sea

Land

River

Other
27 Mineral fuels and oils

68,641

3,681

0%

69%

0%

1%

29%

0%

88%

3%

10%

0%
39 Plastics

55,342

62,002

9%

57%

30%

4%

0%

12%

25%

56%

7%

0%
38 Miscellaneous chemical products

16,809

19,684

40%

26%

33%

1%

0%

40%

16%

42%

2%

0%
74 Copper and articles thereof

8,799

10,756

19%

56%

24%

1%

0%

3%

28%

51%

17%

0%
Source: Census and Statistics Department
Of the above industrial supplies, “39 Plastics” and “74 Copper and articles thereof” are mainly imported by sea and exported by land. This shows that these two categories are primarily imported and transported to factories in mainland China for use as industrial raw materials. The reason these products are imported by sea is that their size is rather big and marine transport is more cost-effective. For the import and export of “38 Miscellaneous chemical products”, the fact that both air transport and land transport account for a larger share in their total cargo value indicates that Hong Kong is a hub for the transhipment of chemical products between overseas countries and territories and mainland China. As for “27 Mineral fuels and oils”, the considerable gap between import and export values means that such products imported into Hong Kong are mainly for consumption in the local market.
3. Analysis of selected commodities Although it was mentioned earlier that Hong Kong is gradually developing into a high value-added logistics centre in Asia, analyses based merely on commodities classified according to the Hong Kong Harmonized System (HKHS) two-digit codes would not suffice. Hence, among the 25 two-digit coded commodities listed in the tables above, commodities which have registered significant growth (over 200%) during 2010-2020, coded in eight digits, are listed in the table below.

Selected HKHS Eight-Digit Coded Commodities Registering over 200% Growth in Export Value During 2010-2020 (Unit: HK$ million)

HKHS Code

Commodity Description

2010

2019

2020

2010-2020 Growth
85171200 Telephones for cellular networks or for other wireless networks

51,850

240,116

212,971

310.7%
84718090 Other units of automatic data processing machines, NESOI

11,597

34,702

52,501

352.7%
84111200 Turbojets of a thrust exceeding 25 kN

7,708

47,272

50,230

551.7%
84713010 Portable automatic data processing machines, notebook

7,692

36,737

44,320

476.2%
33049990 Beauty or make-up preparations and preparations for care of the skin (excluding medicaments) NESOI

2,310

20,036

27,815

1104.3%
85299014 Camera modules, not for special purpose

4,872

20,158

25,269

418.6%
84715000 Processing units other than those of subheading 8471 41 and 8471 49, whether or not containing in the same housing one or two of the following types of units: storage units, input units, output units

5,542

24,781

23,491

323.9%
70031900 Cast glass and rolled glass, in non-wired sheets, NESOI, unworked

19

16,010

17,946

93872.0%
97011000 Paintings, drawings and pastels, executed entirely by hands, other than drawings for architectural, engineering or similar purposes, being originals drawn by hand, other than hand-painted or hand-decorated manufactured articles

1,050

15,518

7,591

622.7%
38220090 Other diagnostic or laboratory reagents and certified reference materials

1,731

2,211

7,474

331.7%
91012100 Wristwatches, with case of precious metal or of metal clad with precious metal, with automatic winding

1,570

7,335

5,691

262.4%
71102100 Palladium, unwrought or in powder form

878

817

4,620

426.5%
08106000 Durians, fresh

678

3,569

4,542

570.1%
90132000 Lasers, other than laser diodes

587

3,114

4,148

606.6%
Source: Census and Statistics Department Note: Statistics for 2019 are included to provide a clear picture of Hong Kong’s exports prior to Covid-19.
According to the commodity categories listed above there are a number of points worth noting. First, some of the commodities are not only high in value but are also in the category of dangerous goods. For instance, as cellular phones (HS 85171200) and portable computers and data processing units (HS 84713010) contain built-in lithium batteries. They have to be handled as dangerous goods in the course of transportation in order to prevent fire hazard caused by short circuit. Hong Kong has in place a sound air cargo inspection mechanism, and has also rolled out 100% security screening for export air cargo starting July 2021. Using X-ray machines to screen cargo can help reduce the chance of dangerous goods being loaded onto cargo aircraft without prior proper handling. Hong Kong’s extensive global air freight network, as well as its sound security screening system, are factors attracting a great number of businesses to use Hong Kong to export their goods. Second, many of the commodities recording significant growth in export value are raw materials and semi-manufactures. Camera modules (HS 85299014), palladium (HS 71102100), and lasers (HS 90132000) are raw materials and parts required in the precision electronics industry. In recent years, the share of raw materials and semi-manufactures in Hong Kong’s re-export trade has been rising year by year, from 35.0% in 2010 to 44.1% in 20206. This confirms Hong Kong’s position as a key transit hub for industrial raw materials and parts in the Asian region. Third, many commodities need special handling. Examples include fresh durians (HS 08106000) which require cold chain logistics to preserve their freshness; cast glass and rolled glass in non-wired sheets (HS 70031900) which require shatterproof treatment; and luxury wristwatches (HS 91012100) which need heightened security. Industry players choose to transport these products via Hong Kong not only because there is strong market demand and favourable import and export system, but also probably because they believe Hong Kong’s world-class logistics facilities and competent logistics companies can provide excellent services, guaranteeing that cargo is delivered to its destinations safe and sound. The reason for the impressive growth in the export of turbojets (HS 84111200) is that Hong Kong’s aircraft engine maintenance service has been developing steadily in recent years. In 2015, Hong Kong imported 206 turbojets and exported 234 turbojets. By 2020, the import and export of turbojets rose to 602 and 553 respectively (while the figures for 2019 are 509 and 542 respectively). Of the 602 turbojets imported into Hong Kong in 2020, 236 came from mainland China7. According to the International Trade Centre Trade Map, in 2020 Hong Kong was the world’s fourth largest turbojet exporter (in terms of trade value), accounting for 14.6% of the global export value of this commodity. It is evident that Hong Kong’s development into Asia’s aviation hub not only bolsters the growth of its air transport logistics, but also its aircraft maintenance service.
Conclusion It can be seen from the above analysis that Hong Kong’s strengths in global logistics lie in its high-end logistics services. From the angle of the dual circulation development paradigm, it can be seen that Hong Kong is an ideal place for Chinese enterprises (including Hong Kong enterprises) to export high value-added products to the rest of the world. Reasons include: Hong Kong maintains close ties with the world; it offers good storage, repackaging and transhipment services; and has a great number of international-level logistics companies and facilities which can guarantee the safe transportation of goods. Also, Hong Kong, with its excellent logistics supporting services, can help the mainland develop high-tech industries, pursue consumption upgrade and grow the huge domestic market. While many regions in the mainland have been proactively developing the logistics industry and related facilities in recent years, Hong Kong can still leverage its advantages in systems, facilities and human resources to maintain its position as an important link in China’s supply chain connecting to the rest of the world. In a bid to enhance its position as an international shipping, trading and aviation hub, Hong Kong can start with optimising its high-end logistics services. In the last few years, as the development of global logistics has entered a stage of transformation, the trade is not only applying technologies more extensively, but is also moving towards specialisation. Cold chain logistics, dangerous goods logistics, luxury goods logistics and pharmaceuticals logistics are now playing a more important role in the industry. Given Hong Kong’s advantages in its geographical location and “One Country, Two Systems”, as long as it devotes more efforts to strengthening personnel training, expanding logistics facilities construction, and encouraging technology applications (e.g. automated logistics and artificial intelligence) the city is bound to complement the logistics facilities in the mainland. While proactively participating in the country’s dual circulation paradigm, actions should also be taken by Hong Kong to enhance its position as an international shipping, trading and aviation hub.
Appendix: Analysis of statistics of trade between Hong Kong and mainland provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions In the analysis in this article, mainland China is taken as a single entity. In reality, there are 31 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions in mainland China. Since there is no breakdown of the import/export data published by Hong Kong’s Census and Statistics Department on which provinces, municipalities or autonomous regions the goods come from, even if the goods are imported into Hong Kong by land transport, it can only be assumed that they are more likely to come from neighbouring Guangdong province. In order to gain a better understanding of Hong Kong’s trade relations with the mainland, the following table sets out the figures of trade between Hong Kong and the various mainland provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions in 2010 and 2019. These statistics are taken from the statistical yearbooks published in 2011 and 2020 as well as from the websites of their respective Customs administrations. Unlike the statistical methods adopted in Hong Kong, the mainland figures do not count most of the goods re-exported from Hong Kong to the mainland as imports from Hong Kong. As such, an analysis can only be made on the value of goods exported to Hong Kong from the mainland, showing the changes in merchandise exports from the various provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions to Hong Kong in 2010 and 2019. Moreover, due to various reasons, the figures for trade between some provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions and Hong Kong are not available. Hence, the trade statistics and analyses below are for reference only.

Value of Trade between Various Provinces, Municipalities and Autonomous Regions and Hong Kong in 2010 and 2019

2010 Total Trade Value (US$10,000)

2019 Total Trade Value (US$10,000)

2010 Export Value (US$10,000)

2019 Export Value (US$10,000)

2010 Import Value (US$10,000)

2019 Import Value (US$10,000)
Guangdong

15,875,900

15,940,200

15,278,600

15,640,800

597,400

299,400
Shanghai

2,275,100

2,821,400

2,104,600

2,628,000

170,500

193,400
Jiangsu

1,854,944

2,688,575

1,794,679

2,660,497

60,265

28,077
Beijing

632,334

1,074,278

401,337

1,015,690

230,997

58,588
Hunan

105,503

918,775

104,524

881,352

979

37,423
Guangxi

102,611

822,880

99,012

716,413

3,599

106,468
Fujian

471,928

738,013

455,702

727,439

16,226

10,574
Shaanxi

61,215

500,735

57,596

500,218

3,619

517
Zhejiang

669,764

470,873

644,393

394,226

25,371

76,646
Jiangxi

111,391

396,691

106,306

390,795

5,085

5,896
Shandong

Not available

384,132

Not available

365,553

Not available

18,579
Hubei

132,979

362,591

125,849

360,494

7,130

2,097
Henan

65,030

305,297

64,280

304,861

750

436
Chongqing

23,530

287,993

23,198

284,092

332

3,902
Tianjin

266,867

262,975

202,393

251,567

64,474

11,407
Yunnan

22,316

254,835

21,742

254,269

574

566
Heilongjiang

33,453

205,877

31,395

205,330

2,058

547
Guizhou

16,315

162,858

16,313

161,539

2

1,319
Anhui

35,917

144,931

31,015

132,136

4,902

12,795
Liaoning

292,175

133,752

281,236

128,155

10,939

5,596
Hebei

38,808

123,042

36,712

102,486

2,096

20,556
Ningxia

Not available

60,768

Not available

31,284

Not available

29,485
Hainan

Not available

54,942

58,406

41,409

Not available

13,533
Gansu

8,200

32,633

7,863

32,149

337

484
Shanxi

23,777

24,381

23,350

24,367

426

14
Jilin

9,159

5,973

7,974

5,901

1,185

72
Xinjiang

Not available

5,126

Not available

4,978

Not available

148
Qinghai

3,325

Not available

3,322

833

3

Not available
Inner Mongolia

Not available
Sichuan

Not available
Tibet

Not available
Source: Statistical Yearbooks of the various provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions in 2011 and 2020, as well as the websites of their respective Customs administration Note: The trade figures of some provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions were calculated in RMB. The exchange rates between RMB and US$ refer to the average exchange rate published in the Statistical Communiqué of the People's Republic of China on the 2010 National Economic and Social Development and the Statistical Communiqué of the People's Republic of China on the 2019 National Economic and Social Development. In 2010 the exchange rate was US$1 to RMB6.6227, and in 2019 the exchange rate was US$1 to RMB6.8985.
The above data reflects a number of characteristics in trade relations between Hong Kong and the mainland: First, for many years, the value of trade between Guangdong province and Hong Kong has been far outpacing other provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions. This shows that serving the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) is Hong Kong’s most important function in dual circulation supply chains. Second, trade ties between Hong Kong and Beijing and the Yangtze River Delta region (Zhejiang, Shanghai, Jiangsu and Anhui) are close. This indicates that Hong Kong plays a significant role in the supply chains in the co-ordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta region. Third, during the nine years from 2010 to 2019, the value of trade between Hong Kong and the provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions in the western part of China (e.g. Guangxi, Shaanxi, Chongqing, Yunnan and Guizhou) grew substantially. This strong growth is probably due to the fact that in recent years the local industries have been developing in leaps and bounds, while many enterprises there are willing to use Hong Kong’s facilities and logistics services to export goods to other countries and regions. Hence, in order to bolster trade in goods with various provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions across the country, Hong Kong should first of all optimise its high-end logistics services in an effort to better meet the demands for industrial and consumption upgrading in the GBA, integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta region, co-ordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, and Hainan Free Trade Port. Furthermore, Hong Kong should deepen co-operation in logistics with provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions in the southern and western parts of the mainland. In August 2019, the National Development and Reform Commission issued an overall plan (Chinese only) for the country's new western land-sea corridor, aiming to strengthen the sea-land transport network of a number of provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions in western China. The plan helps to facilitate logistics for internal and international trade in China’s western region as well as boost the national economy and the development of the Belt and Road Initiative. It was put forward in the plan that efforts would be made to “advance cross-border transport facilitation, and strengthen connectivity with neighbouring countries [and regions] in such areas as international aviation routes”. In this connection, Hong Kong should promote its advantages in air freight logistics to enterprises in these provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions, making the city their prime choice for conducting air cargo imports and exports. By so doing, Hong Kong can not only expand its logistics clientele, but can also play a more active role in the development of the country’s western region and Belt and Road Initiative.

1 Source: Hong Kong International Airport

2 Source: Hong Kong Maritime and Port Board

3 Source: Census and Statistics Department 2020 figures

4 Source: Guangdong Statistical Yearbook 2011 and Guangdong Statistical Yearbook 2020. According to the National Bureau of Statistics of China, from 2007 to 2010 “industrial enterprises above a designated size” referred to those with annual revenue from principal business of RMB5 million or more. Starting from 2011 the figure was raised to RMB20 million or more.

6 Source: Census and Statistics Department

7 Source: Census and Statistics Department

8 Source: Census and Statistics Department

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