CO129-593-4 Rehabilitation of Hong Kong University. For extracted photographs see CN 3-45 27-10-1946 - 30-1-1947 — Page 29

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Cypher/OTP

DEPARTMENTAL NO. 1.

FROM NANKING TO FOREIGN OFFICE.

Sir R. Stevenson

No. 860

14th December 1946.

D. 5.45 p.m. 14th December 1946

R. 8.50 p.m. 14th December 1946

YYYYYY

IMPORTANT

Your telegram No. 1122.

I note it is the intention with this money to make University comparable to the best English University. In view of present unsettled conditions here, and particularly if conditions deteriorate, such a University might well become a centre of academic freedom and attract dis- tinguished scholars from all parts of China.

2. I do not (repeat not) think that political feeling about Hong Kong would affect academic attraction of the University in Chinese eyes. Whatever the future of Hong Kong I feel sure that it would pay dividends provided that it were given and were to retain a genuine Anglo- Chinese character. If this was so it might well achieve a unique position in South Chira comparable to that of Yenching University in Peking or American University in Beirut.

3.

I would expect a University on these lines to attract also Chinese from South East Asia though project of University in Singapore might prove to be a rival in this respect.

4. For these reasons I strongly support proposal.

5.

Tuition/