Manufacturing in Hong Kong has a fairly long history. However, it did not make good progress until the 1950's of the 20th Century, and it peaked in the early 1970's and kept flourishing till mid-1980's.  The historical development of Hong Kong's industry can be divided into 5 stages:

Embryonic Stage

Prior to the Second World War(1941), Hong Kong was basically an entrepot and the first manufacturing venture was ship-repairing.  At the time of the First World War, the industrial scene comprised only some cottage industries and a number of enterprises related to the operation of the port.  From the outbreak of the War of Resistan Against Japan(1937) to the eve of the Japanese occupation(1942), Hong Kong's manufacturing industry enjoyed temporary presperity as some capitalists fleeing from the Mainland moved their plants to the territory.  According to the statistics of 1937, there were some 58,000 workers engaged in the textile industry and 16,000 workers employed by the ship-building and ship-repairing industry.  As these industries just made little contribution to Hong Kong's total domestic export and they were of little importance to the economy as a whole.  Hong Kong remained primarily an entrepot.  These manufacturing industries were basically wiped out after the Japanese occupation.

Picture was taken at the Taikoo Dockyard during the refit of a large passenger liner.		This giant bronze propeller received a final buffing up after a delicate repair job.

The photograph shows an entire pre-fabricated deck house being lifted on board a 6,500 ton freighter building in a Hong Kong Yard.

Shipping lines had been for years recognized as the territory's first-class facilities both for shipbuilding and for quick and efficient repair work.  The majesty of a new vessel taking shape is well illustrated in the photograph.

The ship in the photograph was undergoing conversion for use as a container carrier.