Electronics

Hong Kong's electronics industry began in the late 1950's with a small number of factories assembling radios using components imported from Japan.  Given the latest development of micro-electronics and micro-processor technology, and the continous expansion of the market, Hong Kong's electronics industry, especially in the past decade, has been growing rapidly, with an annual compound growth rate of 24%.  At present, the electronics industry is the second largest export industry, contributing to nearly one third of Hong Kong's total domestic exports.

At present, the United States and the Chinese Mainland are the largest markets for Hong Kong's electronic products, followed by Japan, Singapore, Germany and the United Kingdom.  Finished goods constitute about half of Hong Kong's electronics exports, the majority are consumer electronics for domestic and personal use, such as audio-visual equipment, electronic toys, games and related articles.  Hong Kong is the world's largest exporter of calculators, radios and telephone sets.  Moreover, Hong Kong exports a variety of computer products, such as desktop, notebook and palm-top computers and CD-ROM drives, as well as telecommunications products like cordless phones and pagers.  Regarding parts and components, the largest export item is parts and accessories for computers.

There are now 908 electronics factories in Hong Kong, with an employment size of 27,304 workers and an export volume of HK$39,385 million in 1999.

　

Printed circuit boards, packed with integrated circuits and other components, are prepared for fitting into such products as calculators, microcomputers and telephones.		The manufacture of circuit boards & electric components requires total precision.  At each stage of production, workers have to inspect the product carefully under the microscope to ensure it is free from defects.

Technicians at work are checking and testing semi-conductors, an important electronic component in the manufacture of computers and consumer products.

The industrial diversification has opened up new markets for the territory's products throughout the world.  Now Hong Kong people can claim to produce everything from a transistor to a thimble in factories equipped with the latest scientific aids.

A large, young workforce attracts overseas and local industrialists to set up factories in the new town, such as this manufacturer of liquid crystal displays.