Sir Mark Young, the Governor of Hongkong, in evidence given before the Committee was emphatic that both these results were to be feared. He was sure that the local Chinese in particular would be outraged at any such suggestion, an that the effect on China beyond the borders of the Colony would be de le terious to British prestige.
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On the other hand, it is the duty of a Committee such
is this to take a long view. Endeavouring to do so, we are unanimously convinced that the danger of the British Commonwealth being represented, and solely represented, in the immediat flank of China by an impoverished institution dignified by the name of University, but in fact producing graduates of less than University standard, and with a staff inevitably deprived, through overwork and lack of equipment and of the proper environment, of any hope of making some contribution to knowledge is likely in the long run to have an even more drastic influence for ill upon British prestige. The British Commonwealth would earn in China, and rightly earn, a name for pretentious inefficiency that it can ill afford. This likelihood, and the sinister effect of such an impression, will both be increased by the fact that the United States in a score of institutions that will be generously, even lavishly, equipped, will unquestionably, be making a real contribution in the heart of China both to Chinese cducation and scholarship and to cushioning the impact of Western culture and science upon the Eastern world. This is true to some extent today. To anyone who can read the writing upon th. wall it is obvious that the American effort will be increased many times in the next few decades.
This is the dilemma with which we are now confronted. Fortunately there is a way in which both evils may be avoided, the strengthening f the University and its reorientation especially to attract students and graduates from the mainland of China. It is however, a solution which demands imagin tiɔn, money and faith. The Committec are so convinced of its desirability that they whole heartedly recommend its adoption. They do so whether r not Hongkong is going to be a permanent British possessin, for they are certain that the future relations of Britain and China are of paramount importance for the welfare of them both, and for the future of humanity. They are equally certain that no singl. factor could contribute so much at so little cost to the fostering of good relations between the two countries, and to the reputation of the Britain in the Far Est, as the planting of an institution of true University status in such a key position as Hong Kong occupies
n the periphery of the Chinese republic and the promise of its development into an institution that in quality, if not in size, will compare with anything that China, with or without the help of the United States, can produce.
When Hongkong University was first established it was the intention of its founders, and in particular of that great Colonial administrator Lord Lugard, that it should serve more than local needs. It was to have been, as well, a point 'appui of Western culture upon the edge of an awakening China, a place where a real marriage of Eastern and Western civilisations could take place. This ambition was never fully realised and various factors combined to make this aspect of the University's work
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