141
wished to establish a full University course in the biolo- gical sciences. Presumably this was not because the Depart- ment was asking for too little funds. I do not know what "higher teaching" was expected to be possible with the additional lecturer and demonstrator. But if the intention is to present a University of British type to the Chinese, we must surely present one of high standing, and this implies honours courses such as the Cambridge Natural Sciences
The tripos, in which proper science degrees can be taken. most laughable thing of all is the equation of physics with radio-therapy (Ch.VIII,#46, p.25). And this at a time when China herself is producing such brilliant theoretical and experimental physicists as Chang Tsung-Sui, H.H. Peng, wu Ta-Yo, Hu Chien-Shan, Cheng Kai-Chia, etc. etc.
To put the matter in a nutshell, if Hongkong Uni- versity is to achieve a status at which it can discuss on equal terms with the best Universities in China, such as those of Peiching, Chinghua, Nankai, and Chekiang; then it must itself take on the qualities of a great university. This needs at least some really strong research schools.
The only way in which I can help here is that after the past three years I do know more or less in what subjects the Chinese are relatively advanced, and in what subjects they are relatively backward. Hence I should not advise making a great effort to establish research centres in Chinese History and Philology (the Chinese Universities and Academia Sinica take good care of this); in Geology (for the Geological Survey is excellent and there are many good faculties) though this is without prejudice to my remark above on the total absence of any teaching in geology, which should be remedied - ; in Meterology; or in Organic Chemistry. On the other hand, I should recommend the establishment of strong research centres in Physics, especially Nuclear Physics, with the building cyclotron, since most of the Chinese Government's efforts for some time to come will be on more practical lines; in Biophysics, which is practically unknown in China; in Biochemistry, which is backward and much too tied to Medicine; in Experimental Biology and Morphology, neglected in China because of the still great importance of systematic biology in a country with so many species still new to science; in Psychology; and in funda- mental Aeronautical Science.
of a
It is needless to say that the expenditure required for such a program would be much in excess of what the Report seems to envisage. But it will not be possible to impress the Chinese and really aid them in the development of their coun- try without spending money. And here I should like to emphasise that the USA's coming program for the industrialisation of China will certainly involve, as one of its facets, a continua- tion, and probably a considerable extension, of their financial
}
support