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new East Asia culture, etc. etc., with a view to "forming a paradise of mutual prosperity for the
Asiatic peoples free from foreign avarice but with no intention of rejecting legitimate activities of
well-meaning third Powers".
Press reports state that Japan is importing rice for
first time since the famine of six years ago.
Eighty seven Hong Kong firms are still importing Japanese goods which average was steady throughout
the year 1939.
Tunizo ABE, managing director of the International
Telecommunications Limited of Tokyo, came with his
chief engineer during the month and his mission appeared
to be connected with the DOMEI NEWS service and local
telegraph offices.
Local Japanese Press reports that General Hiroshi OSHILA, ambassador to Berlin, who was concerned in the
tentative German-Japanese military alliance talks, has
returned to Japan and resigned and a non-military official
succeeded him. It is also reported that a new Japanese
air transport service Shanghai-Taihoku-Canton was opened 1-1-40 in the name of CHINA AVIATION CORPORATION, flying
times leave Shanghai 08.30 hrs. leave Taihoku 11.40 hrs.,
arrive Canton 15.05 hrs.
The Japanese adult population in Hong Kong at the end of 1939 was 498 males and 320 females, total 818 compared with 500 at the end of 1938 and 919 at the
end of 1937.
(sd) A.H. Elston, C.D.I.(S.B.)
Hong Kong, 6th January, 1940.