A388
SANTUAO-FOOCHOW
TRADE IN 1938
Santuao being of little importance politically or economically, the year passed peacefully, though trade did not escape the general depression. Owing to the blockade of the China coast, steamer traffic between Foochow and Santuao was largely interrupted, though junk traffic from Santuao was comparatively well maintained. Excellent crops of rice and other cereals permitted a good level of subsistence. The value statistics as recorded by the Customs were as follows: direct foreign imports, $277,000 as against $160,000 for 1937; coastwise importations of Chinese produce, $1,800 as against $670,000; direct exports to foreign countries, $51,000 as against $14,000; and coastwise exports of Chinese produce, $3.1 million as against $4.2 million. Imports of kerosene oil from abroad and coastwise declined in quantity from 1,266,503 litres, the rise in price tending to cut down demand. The import also_of sulphate of ammonia fell off considerably from 9,908 to 2,290 quintals. The direct import of sugar was nil its place being taken by the native brown. sugar. Among staple. domestic exports, black tea increased in quantity from 16,631 to 18,242 quintals; green tea, on the other hand, fell away from 34,370 to 22,050 quintals. The Tea Experimental Station established last year at Fuan was removed during the year to Tsungan in the Northern Fukien. Exports of paper fell to nil from 6,955 quintals during 1937, the demand for this article in Dairen having entirely ceased owing to the hostilities. The rice-bowl industry has also been practically suspended. The bowls, hand-made at a village called Wanyao on the opposite bank to Santuao, were formerly shipped in considerable quantities to Shantung and Manchuria, but no shipments have taken place since the opening of hostilities, with the result that out of over 100 kilns only five or six are still in operation, and most of the workers have been thrown out of employment. The embargo placed on rice and other cereals resulted in only 724 quintals of paddy being exported coastwise as against 4,028 quintals during 1937.
DIRECTORY
關海福 Fu Hai Kwan
CUSTOMS, CHINESE MARITIME—
Acting Commissioner-Yang Ming
Hsin
Assistant Ling Chan Ngau
Boat Officer-Ling Iu Bing
STANDARD - VACUUM OIL Co.-Cable Ad:
Stand vac
Hsü Pai-hsi, agent
TELEGRAPH OFFICE -
Fee Veng Fiang, manager
FOOCHOW
州福
Fuh-chau
Foochow is situated in lat. 26 deg. 20 min, 24 sec. N., and long. 119 deg. 20 min. E. The city is built on a plain on the northern side of the river Min, and is about thirty-four miles from the sea, and nine miles from Pagoda Anchorage, where foreign vessels used to anchor (now at Sharp Peak).
Foochow has been the capital of Fukien. In April, 1938 the capital was removed to Yingan, Central Fukien. The removal of government offices, schools, etc., to the interior, was made because the provincial authorities provincial_authorities a journey which was both long and difficult. The East India Company as military operations. Though Foochow has ceased to be the capital, yet it is an important city from the political, economic and commercial points of view. Following the fall of Canton, the importance of Foochow as a southern port appears to be enhanced.