64
Extract for Daily Digest
21-12.4-3
13.20 HONGKONG CONSTRUCTIONAL PROGRESS Hongkong: The progress of building in Hongkong during the two years since the former Crown Colony's occupation by the Imperial forces was reviewed by Lt/Gen. Isogai, the Governor General at a Press conference yester- day.
He said that all key industries, including shipbuilding, which had been set up in Hongkong were contributing greatly to bolstering Japan's fighting strength. Hongkong
as well stabilised financially during the first year of occupation and the third year,
The Government Just beginning, would see a number of trade promotion measures launched. Ceneral was drafting a plan to encourage private traders, Japanese as well as Chinese,
He concluded: "Honkong, and was projecting the promotion of branches for foreign trade. by partaking actively in all fields of wartime industrial trade is playing a significant role in the consummation of the war and the construction of Greater East Asia."
1
sli:
13.02
Extract for Daily Digest of World Broadcasts 25.12.43
HONGKONG RECONSTRUCTION:
DOMEI CORRESPONDENT From Domei correspondent, Hongkong: Under the Japanese Administration, which began just two years ago, Honglong has undergone economic re-birth and has become the pivotal entrepot port of East Asia, One outstanding feature in the reconstruction of Hongkong was the viole-hoortod acoperation of leading Chinese residents, who, clearly understanding the true intentions of Japan remained in the city following the overthrow of British rule and cooperated positively with the Administration. These Chinese residents will presently play the vital role of accelerating the exchange of staple commodities between Hongkong and other parts of greater East Asia, thereby contributing to a revival of trade between the former Crown Colony and other ports and stabilising the supply of daily necessities as well as that of important industrial raw materials. During the past two years Hongkong trade has made noteworthy strides.. Trade Agreements with Canton, Amoy, Swatow and Hainan Island as well as the Philippines have increased the exchange of manufactured articles from Hongkong for raw materials. Trade is also active between Hongkong, Japan, Toiwan, Shona, French Indochina and Thailand. Trade activities are principally controlled by the Hongkong Trade Association, which comprises 92 leading Japanese commercial houses, Trade with the coastal areas of China is principally carried by Chinese merchanta. o alleviate the shortage of shipping Chinese junks are videly used, Shipbuilding tops the new industries. Despite comparatively restricted raw materials, all dockyards near Hongkong are kept humming from dawn till dusk.. Notable work is being done repairing the old dockyards.
Motor sailing chips are also being built for coastwise transport. Other important industries include sugar, tobacco, manilla, rope, cement, oxygen, nails, seasoning essendes
er, soft drinks and dyes, Moreover, small plants are producing cotton fabrics rbler goods, and foodstuffs. During the short span of two years more than 78 Chinese plants, closed by the war have been reopened and are now turning out vital products. There is a marked increase in the production of lead, as well as of wolfrum Ore for the manufacture of tungsten. The Government general is trying to increase he output of agricultural products through the adoption of modern farming methods and by the large-scale cultivation of idle lots, improvement of rice planting and
creased production of vegetables and fruits. Fishing, which was one of the most mportant Industries of Hongkong has been improved through the adoption of Japanese methods. "Junk fishing" has been rationalised, under the supervision of
70 large Japanese Fishery Companies. The sale and distribution of the fish is ontrolled by Fishery Associations. One noteworthy contribution towards the
£lf-sufficiency of Hongkong is the Japanese mopping up operations along the Caton Kowloon railway district carried out in November with the cooperation of te Japanese forces in South China and the Hongkong Defence Corps. In less than
o months, Chungking remnants as well as Communist troops were completely wiper Thus the land traffic route, linking Hongkong and Canton has been completely restored, to accelerate farther economic collaboration between these two pivotal cities. Further with the pacification of the railway zone, rice, vegetables, fruits and other agrarian products which are abundantly grown in the fertile area along the railway are now available to Hongkong, thereby further bolstering Hongkong' self-sufficiency in fooâ,
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