CO129-594-1 Rehabilitation of Hong Kong University. For extracted photographs see CN 3-45- Advisory Committee report 29-3-1946 - 3-7-1946 — Page 90

and authoritative Chinese opinon..quoted by the Commander in Chief, Admiral Sir Cecil Harcourt in Hong Kong, when on March 23rd 1946 he spoke on the occasion of the conferring of war-time medical degrees in the ruins of the University Hall. As reported in the Hong Kong Telegraph he said:

"In each step of the rebuilding of the University it is the intention to bear in mind always the importance of cooperation with the Universities and educational institutions of China. I am sure the importance of liaison with China is going to be a great factor in the future history of the University which numbers amongst its first students Dr. Sun Yat-sen. When I was in Chungking, the Generalissimo displayed great interest in the rebuilding of the University and spoke to me about the importance of getting the University going again as soon as possible, a view which I naturally very much shared with him".

12. This statement may suffice as answer to the fears that, in the changed conditions, the Chinese might not welcome an extended British University. Manifestly, to build up a worthy British University in the certainty or with a reasonably suspicion that it would not be welcome would be foolish. There is nothing in the recent experience of members of the Committee who know China to suggest this conclusion. But it might be referred to the Foreign Office which is able to speak with authority on the political value of our major proposal, and on how it would be received by the governing authorities in China. Acting on the evidence that we have sketched in outline what we think might be the next stage in an institution which in process of natural growth would become an effective British University for Hong Kong and China.

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