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In the past year Hong Kong has witnessed,
from the very threshold, the tremendous events
that have taken place in China. They are events
of world significance and, against them, His
Majesty's Government have made quite clear the ir
intention to maintain their position in Hong
Kong. Though the developments in China have
brought disturbing effects to the life of Hong
Kong, the Colony has nevertheless managed to
remain a relative oasis of peace and prosperity
in the Far East.
Hormal trade and communications between
Hong Kong and China have been dislocated and as
a result of the Nationalist blockade the great
port of Shanghai has been effectively closed to
shipping except for a few blockade runners.
Nevertheless, as is well-known cargues for
China have found their way through Tientsin and
other northern ports and Hong Kong's trade in
1949 has shown a further big improvement over
the