Manufacturing in Hong Kong
HF: Manufacturing in Hong Kong consists of mainly light and labour intensive industries. Manufacturing started in the 19th century after the Taiping Rebellion and continues today, although it has largely been replaced by service industries, particularly those involving finance and real estate.
As an entrepot, Hong Kong had limited manufacturing development until the Second World War when the development of manufacturing industries was discontinued due to the Japanese occupation.
Green Island Cement Company, established in 1890 by Messrs. Shewan, Tomes & Co. Source: Hong Kong Memory
Manufacturing in the city revived after the war. The 1950’s saw the city’s transition from an entrepot to a manufacturing based economy. The city’s manufacturing industry grew rapidly over the next decade. The industries were diversified in different aspects in the 1970s. One of the most notable reasons of diversification was the oil crisis.
Cheung Sha Wan Factory Estate 1950s Source: Hong Kong Memory Project
After the British acquisition of Hong Kong Island in 1842, manufacturing started to develop. Most factories were limited to small workshops producing hand made goods. Primitive methods, techniques and facilities were used for production. Productivity was low and manufacturing was not as important as re exportation, which was most important at the time.
Source: Wikipedia
This article was first posted on 14th April 2026.