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assistance by training the young Chinese engineers in
British methods, would be of great potential value in
securing future orders.
(8)
Co-operation with Chinese.
In present conditions in China, it seems to me
essential that British officials and traders should
establish as wide contacts as possible with the Chinese.
So far as I could judge from my own experience it is far
easier to get difficulties settled, or proposals amended
to meet our views, by unofficial discussions than by
formal representations. From this point of view, it is
most desirable that business firms should encourage their
permanent staffs to learn Chinese; and the same thing
applies of course, "to the Official Services in China.
The Chinese authorities seem not only willing but anxious
to obtain advice from persons in whom they have confidence.
British traders have in the past had the reputation of
standing rather aloof from the Chinese, but the best firms
are now fully alive to the necessity of working as
closely as possible with the Chinese and securing their
co-operation. While I was in China, unofficial Sino-
British Trade Councils were established by the local
British and Chinese Chambers of Commerce at Shanghai and
Hankow to promote friendly discussion of all questions of
mutual interest. The Chinese Government also agreed, in
principle, to the establishment of an official Committee
at Nanking to which difficulties of British traders
resulting from action of the Chinese authorities could
be referred. It was arranged that the Commercial
Counsellor should prepare a definite project for the
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