CO537-2188 — Page 515

Times - Jan 14-1717-

RE OF HONGKONG

BRITISH OPPORTUNITY IN THE

FAR EAST

POLICY TOWARDS THE CHINESE

From a Special Correspondent

The return of Hongkong to China is from the West. Britain is in a position to not an immediate prospect. The Chinese give such assistance, and the very weakness of her position in the Far East is a guarantee traders in the colony do not, by that it could be accepted by Nanking without and large, wish to be ruled by a Chinese sacrifice of China's political independence. Tathministration which has rendered large-of British motives in China will have little High-sounding declarations about the purity scale trading almost impossible in both value if racial prejudice still reigns in Hong- Canton and Shanghai. At present they kong; if the Chinese with the same qualifica- have in some senses the best of both tions and the same responsibilities are paid on worlds. Indeed, the existing status of if British are appointed to posts which local an inferior basis to their European colleagues; Hongkong has many advantages for the residents could fill; if the policy of the Kuomintang, and there is therefore tacit ] Government appears mainly to be concerned agreement to leave in abeyance the ques- with British trade. Hongkong is the shop- tion of Hongkong's future. But the British window of Britain in China, and our right to stay will not remain unchallenged behaviour in that small setting can do much to make or mar British policy on the vaster indefinitely, and it is time that the British

stage. Macao is commercially dead, and Government and people determined their Hongkong is the only trading centre in China policy towards China and Hongkong. proper which remains in European bands. It How does the record stand at present ? is a unique responsibility. As a matter of In the sphere of public works much has decide to make Hongkong a model of a pro- high priority the British Government should been done to benefit the colony. Magni-gressive, democratic community while they ficent reservoirs provide clean and are still in control.

**

New

abundant water. Excellent roads, What then should be done? The first step superbly engineered, wind up the peak lies with the British Cabinet to determine the and round the island and the Territories." A fine hospital was built by the Government in 1937. But in the main little has been done to mitigate the abject

Miles

20

Tongtaoha

Pingw

Pingishan

Tamshui

HONGKONG

(7806)

future status of Hongkong in consultation with up an administration that has the drive and the allies. Secondly, it is necessary to build imagination to carry out a progressive and creative policy. Hongkong has no Political Adviser to maintain contacts with Nanking and Canton, no experienced labour expert to assist the Chinese workers in forming trade unions and cooperatives.

CULTURE AND TRADE

A five-year or 10-year plan for the social and economic development of the colony should be worked out. Such a plan must offer pos- sible solutions for the immigration difficulty. There is the question of finance; the potential revenue of the colony has hitherto scarcely been tapped, owing to the opposition of the Chinese in pre-war days to introduction of income-tax. Large-scale reforms could be undertaken from local resources, but in the sphere of health, education, and public rela- poverty of the majority of the Chinese tions outside aid would have to be given. Finally, the plan must consider ways in which population. The poverty of South China social changes can be linked with an advance is even greater, as was shown after the to self-government and the development of Japanese capitulation by the return of political education. thousands of Chinese to the colony. Government and mission schools have done a fine job on a limited scale, but no plan on the question of education and technical Special emphasis should be placed in the education for the mass of Chinese is even and cultural relations with China. Hongkong contemplated. Public assistance is con- University has had a respectable reputation in fined to the issue of a ration of cheap rice the past, but it could not be described as first and the haphazard distribution of food or class, and since its buildings were largely parcels from voluntary organizations. chance to re-establish it on an impressive destroyed by the Japanese there is a unique Social insurance does not exist. Working-scale. A university in Hongkong, with out class housing has hardly been attempted. standing facilities in both the humanities and It is perhaps natural that an over-in technical education, would become a great burdened Britain, concentrating on the power in China. To teach in it for a period of a few years might well be regarded as a pleasure problems of socialist reconstruction at and a privilege for the best of Britain's younger home, on the menace of the international scholars. situation, on the freeing of India and the Cultural relations generally are equally ferment of the Middle East, should important. Hongkong has no theatre (other acknowledge this situation with a resigned than that equipped by Ensa), no concert hall, museum, art gallery, or public library. The hopelessness. After all, Hongkong is far broadcasts from its radio transmitter can be away; it is a tiny colony; there is no heard only within a range of 30 miles. An obvious disturbance. The answer is that invaluable opportunity for making known the importance of Hongkong lies not in its throughout China British affairs and stand- points is being thrown away. Finally, a good trade, nor even in the welfare of its chance exists for a permanent trade exhibition anabitants, but in its relation to China. I on the lines of Britain Can Make It." This Diplomatically Britain has had no real could show with the artistry displayed at South policy in China since the surrender of Kensington that British design and industry can Japan. This has no doubt been due to her satisfy many of the needs of the Chinese complex problems elsewhere. So far this lack of policy has had certain advantages, but it is dangerous to drift too long.

millions.

Britain took the lead in forcibly opening China to the impact of western civilization. It is surely her duty to do everything possible to ensure that the seeds which she planted will PRESTIGE STILL HIGH

bring benefits rather than destruction to the Chinese people. Trade with China has in the Britain still retains great trading interests in past brought great profits to British business. China, These may not endear her to the The policy here outlined may also bring great Communists, but her reputation for sound profits, direct and indirect, in the future, but commercial practice and her initiative in sur-profits should no longer be the chief aim. rendering the Treaty Ports before the war Britain is no longer in a position to achieve have enabled her to retain considerable her ends by military and economic power. She prestige. This prestige would be enormously must rely primarily on moral and educational strengthened in China, as in Europe, if she influence. It is not too much to ask Britons were to adopt a constructive independent to consider carefully whether their presence policy. Nothing is more odious to the in Hongkong does not give them an un- Chinese or to any Asiatic than the thought of paralleled opportunity to exercise this kind of becoming the pawns of America or of Russia; influence on a large and beneficent scale. yet all intelligent Asiatics agree that they Whatever the future of the colony may be, need technical and educational assistance many of the fruits would still remain.

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