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[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
CHINA TRADE.
CONFIDENTIAL.
No. 1.
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey,--(Received May 5.)
[17072
(No. 85.) (Telegraphic.) P. LI-KIN.
110
[May 5.]
SECTION 1.
Peking, May 5, 1909.
I have been unable to obtain from my French and Russian colleagues confirmation of the views reported to be held by their respective Governments, as stated in your telegram No. 80 of the 1st instant.
As regards the currency question, the Chinese Government have paid no heed to the repeated representations made by the diplomatic body, and have not exerted them- selves seriously in the direction of reform. Until they change their attitude in this respect, I do not see how they can expect to be supported in their efforts to obtain a higher tariff.
Amongst the factors harmful to foreign trade which the Government are in a position to remove are such evils as the unrestricted issue of bank notes and the excessive minting of subsidiary copper coins, and I am of opinion that foreign Powers should insist on effective reforins in these directions before appointing delegates to a commission aiming at the abolition of li-kin.
It should be noted that, in spite of the Government's official anxiety to abolish li-kin, now li-kin stations have been lately started in more than one place.
I have had correspondence with the Chinese Government on the subject of li-kin. Please await my despatch No. 163 of the 24th ultimo, sent via Siberia, forwarding
same.
(Confidential.)
I do not think that my American colleague has much hope that a commission would have any practical result as things are at present. He is, however, supporting the scheme, probably with the idea of doing a kindness to the Chinese.
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