[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL
[36938]
No. 1,
188
[October 30.]
SECTION
42969
REC
Question asked in the House of Commons, October 30, 1906.
IP ^ 22 NOV OF
Mr. Rees, To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether the Government of China has authorized the second issue of bonds or provided funds for the construction of the Shanghae-Nanking Railway according to the Agreement concluded in 1903; and whether the Concession for the Soochow-Hangchow- Ningpo Railway, once granted and subsequently cancelled, has or has not been finally confirmed, so as to provide a junction with the railway the Government of Hong Kong is constructing to the Kaulung frontier.
Answer.
The Chinese Government have not yet authorized the issue of bonds, nor have they themselves provided funds for the completion of the Shanghac-Nanking Railway. We have, however, received repeated assurances from them that funds will be provided in one or other of these ways in time to prevent suspension of work on the railway, and His Majesty's Government are following the matter with attention.
The negotiations for the Final Agreement for the Soochow-Hangchow-Ningpo Railway have been deferred until the conclusion of the negotiations in regard to the Final Agreement for the Canton-Kowloon Railway, which are now proceeding.
[2183 gg-1]