HISTORY
fit into the rapidly expanding world economy of the twentieth century. Freedom of the port and freedom of entrance and egress for all persons of Chinese race were permitted in accordance with a policy which ensured for the Colony the role of entrepot both for the trade and for the labour of China's southern provinces.
The influence of Hong Kong undoubtedly had some bearing on the internal affairs of China at this time where there was a stirring among Chinese patriots that brought profound results. One outcome of this, the "Hundred Days Reform," might have saved China much misery and pain, for Kang Yiu-wei had been inspired and he succeeded in influencing the Emperor to attempt the introduction of much needed reforms in China. The failure of the attempt led to the tribulations which brought the Manchu dynasty to its end, but it had its roots deep in the minds of the Chinese people. In Hong Kong the revolutionaries found liberty and sanctuary based on justice and freedom of speech, while the Chinese newspapers of Hong Kong provided them with a vehicle for reaching the Chinese masses.
One important contribution towards free thought in the Colony was the founding of Hong Kong Univer- sity. Sir Frederick Lugard, Governor of Hong Kong, had invited local inhabitants to discuss its feasability and as a result Mr. H. N. Mody, later Sir Hormusjee Mody, offered, in 1908, to present the Colony with the entire cost of the main buildings. Other enthusiastic supporters followed, numbers of Chinese contributing substantial sums to promote the undertaking, notably Sir Robert Ho Tung whose munificent donations over a long period of years place the Colony very much in his debt.
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