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going steamers, are closed to Foreign flag.
Thoy have put ovory obstacle in the way of recovery
They
by British owners of fixed and floating property. have, in fact, destroyed the transport system the British built.
The Chinese Government have purchased a number of vessels but ignorant and inefficient operation has resulted in so poor and costly a service that prices have rison out of all reason and trade has not reopened.
China Merchants Steam Navigation Company, a
Government monopoly in which many influential Chinese havo intorosts, has to a great extent monopolisod all transport and oxorts considorable political pressure on the Government to maintain an exclusionist policy.
Under the Treaty of Commerce and Navigation yet to be nogotiated, another effort will bu made to secure for British interests moans of trading on the rivors and coast if not under the British flag at least under the Chinese flag with British control.
In order to keep close touch with the ituation in China and South East Asia as affecting British shipping the Ministry of Transport is posting a Senior Official at Hong Kong.
It is hoped that budding Chinese port officials and shipping men generally will be able to receive Britieb training, for although China has undertaken intemational
engagements in respect of measures to ensure safety of life at sea etc., performance lags far behind promise.
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