45
SURVEY OF THE CHUNGKING PRESS
August 24, 1945.
Macao
!
Today
Nor
The Ta Kung Pao in a leading article says that this war must settle international disputes and get rid of unreasonable relationships between countries. We can now pay attention to many questions which would not be difficult to settle smoothly. The question of Macao is relatively a small one but if China's territorial integrity is to be respected a reasonable solution ought to be reached. Portugal has bitten off a piece of Chinese territory and this is very unreasonable. Aggression against China began first of all with Portugal. Portugal is a peace loving country without territorial ambition. is China what she was. Unequal treaties have been removed. Concessions no longer exist. Territory taken from China is soon to be regained. We are now on equal terms with such great powers as America, Britain, France. Old fashioned imperialism has retired from China, Portugal is a neutral country. We do not therefore make demands as an ally or as an enemy, but from justice and fairness we hope that Portugal will courageously recognise the new position in the Far East. Macao is of no importance materially.
But such a stain is very provoking to our national feeling. Nor does Portugal derive much glory from her rule in Macao, which is a centre of corruption, filth and immorality. It is also an asylum for criminals escaping from Chinese law and as such is liable to make it difficult to keep order in Canton, We hope that the Waichiaopu will ask Portugal to give back Macao. In this way Portugal will gain respect in the Far East and her commerce will benefit accordingly.