HONG Kong's export growth accelerated in October to the fastest pace in four months on the Chinese mainland's buoyant trade, the world's fastest-growing major economy.

Shipments rose 9.8 percent from a year earlier to HK$253 billion (US$33 billion) after gaining 8.5 percent in September, the Census and Statistics Department said in a statement yesterday.

The Chinese mainland's economy has entered its fourth straight quarter of expansion of more than 11 percent, according to government forecasts, and its trade surplus last month surged to a record US$27 billion.

Hong Kong serves as a trading hub for the mainland.