CO129-538-1 Hong Kong University 31-12-1931 - 6-8-1932 — Page 242

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great extension of the scholarship system points out that Hong

Kong "is a suitable centre for training students from the main-

land in that there is still the background of China, with order- ly government with security and example of honest public admini-

stration provided by the British." The influence which Hong

Kong as a cultural centre is capable, under suitable conditions,

of exerting over the interior of China is vividly illustrated

by the following account of what he observed during a visit to

the south-western province of Yunnan.

"I was very much impressed last summer when I

was up in Yunnanfu, which is a considerable dis-

tance inland, by the wave of excitement which

spread over the town when the examination was

held for the selection of three candidates for

the University course in Hong Kong.

It was a

magnificent advertisement for this country. The

Consul and his secretary gave the test to over

80 candidates. Five schools at least claimed

the honour of educating the successful scholars, who at once became the most important and the most

envied of all students. If this could be repeated

in the main centres of China we would soon achieve

a higher cultural position in that country, and

so realize the wishes expressed in the report of

the Economic Mission to the Far East."

It would be out of place to give details here of Lir Forster's scholarship scheme, which will no doubt receive the careful attention of the University authorities when funds are available from the indemnity or other sources. It may be added, however, that although the system of sending immature Chinese students abroad to British or other foreign universities is not always in the best interests of the students themselves or of China, this observation does not apply to the case of Chinese students going from the mainland of China to Hong Kong. Hong Kong is geographically and socially part of China, and the