Directory_and_Chronicle_1938

CHUNGKING

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figures yet attained. Under the auspices of the Ministry of Industries, two oil plants for refining purposes were established at Chungking and Wanhsien. Bristles maintain ed a fair average, with $5.6 million as against $4.3 million for 1935. The trade in medicinal substances, which used to play a prominent role among the staple experts, suffered heavily in 1935. The position, however, recovered with the evacuation of the communities from the producing areas in June; nevertheless, owing to poor markets in the South Sea Islands and the keen competition of foreign medicines, the export, of medicines has gradually fallen to an unimportant position. Thanks of the efforts of of the Provincial Authorities the silk industry showed a great revival during the year, exports having increased in value from $954,501 in 1935 to $1,537,833 in 1936. On the 1st February Upper Yangtsze Conservancy fees on imports, exports, and ship- ping were introduced at Chungking and Wanhsien The collection is solely utilized to finance conservancy work on the Upper Yangtsze. The break water wall at Chaipantzu is now under construction, and the removal of the pinnacle remaining in the South Channel at K'unglingt'an will be attempted during the 1936-37 low-water season. The final surveys of the Chengtu-Chungking Railway have been completed, and every- thing is ready for construction to commence as soon as materials have arrived. The whole line will be completed in two years. It will run from Chungking to Chenëtu via Kiangtsing (L) along the river and then turn northwards to Yungchuan GJ, Neikiang (I), and Tzechung (), all of which are important towns. Undoubtedly this line will be a potent factor in the future of this port. Remarkable progress was made in road construction during the year. The two interprovincial highways leading to Hankow and Changsha were ready for service towards the close of the year, while the surveys of the Szechwan-Kansu line and of the Szechwan-Yunnan line were well under way. The total length of highways available to motor traffic in the province is now 4,659 kilometres and of those projected 3,985 kilometres. Among modern factories may be mentioned the cement works and the sugar refinery. The former is now under construction, and operations are scheduled to start in April next with a daily output of 150 barrels. The sugar refinery was established at Neikiang with a capital of $10 million, a franchise being granted to the company for 30 years by the Provincial Government. Exchange rates remained remarkably steady, being at times in favour of Chungking, i.e., Szechwan $995 or $994 equalling Standard $1,000.

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