CO129-538-1 Hong Kong University 31-12-1931 - 6-8-1932 — Page 48

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Of the undeveloped countries of the world China is

perhaps the largest and the most important. It is unnecessary

to argue the importance of China as a future market or the

desirability of maintaining friendly relationships between China and this country. Success in trade with China will

depend largely on the respect or otherwise with which the

Chinese look upon Western culture and upon the benefits which

educated Chinese derive from it. It is from this point of view that Universities are primarily important, and it is upon the scientific side of University teaching that Western

civilization has most to offer to the East.

The industrial, commercial and agricultural development of China which is potentially of enormous possibilities is at

present impossible owing to the absence of even elementary

scientific knowledge. Educated Chinese are aware of this

deficiency and they seek to remedy it. There is an increas-

ing demand among the Chinese for instruction in the pure

sciences, Botany, Zoology, Geology, and Chemistry and Physics,

training in which is essential for the improvement of

agricultural methods and the development of new types of

cultivation. There are two sources from which the Chinese

may acquire the desired knowledge, America and England.

will never be possible for China to develop to any great

It

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