In this file photo, a cargo ship loaded with containers is pictured at the port in Hong Kong on Oct 5, 2019. (ANTHONY WALLACE / AFP)

HONG KONG - The value of Hong Kong’s total exports of goods in September increased by 9.1 percent from the same period of last year on the back of a recovering Chinese mainland economy, latest government data showed on Tuesday.

The Hong Kong government's Census and Statistics Department revealed that in September, the value of the city's total exports increased to HK$379.3 billion, while that of imports rose 3.4 percent to HK$392 billion year-on-year.

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A spokesman for the Hong Kong government said that merchandise exports turned to a notable year-on-year increase in September, mainly led by the acceleration in exports to the mainland

Total exports to Asia as a whole grew by 11.2 percent during the month, while that to the Chinese mainland jumped 17 percent, data showed.

A trade deficit of HK$12.7 billion, or 3.2 percent of the value of imports, was recorded for the period.

Comparing the third quarter this year with the preceding quarter on a seasonally adjusted basis, the value of exports rose 4.4 percent while that of imports increased by 3.6 percent.

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In a press release, a spokesman for the Hong Kong government said that merchandise exports turned to a notable year-on-year increase in September, mainly led by the acceleration in exports to the mainland. 

"Exports to the US reverted to moderate growth and those to the EU saw a much-narrowed decline in September, thanks to the economic recovery in these markets. Exports to other major Asian markets showed mixed performance," the spokesman said.

Looking ahead, the solid recovery of the mainland economy will likely render some support to Hong Kong's exports in the near term, the spokesman said.

"Yet, in some advanced markets, the resurgence of COVID-19 infections has cast uncertainty over their near-term outlook. The development of China-US relations, geopolitical tensions and the EU-UK trade negotiations also warrant attention," the spokesman added.

With Xinhua inputs