CHINA
127
Goods to the value of Tla. 32,095,080 were conveyed to, and to the value of Tls. 7,769,857 were brought from, the interior under transit passes.
The total carrying trade, foreign and coastwise, was divided amongst the different flags as under (the Russian including tea carried overland viâ Kiakhta):—
Entries and
Clearances
Tonnage
Values
Percentages Tonnage Duties
British...
22,818
23,052,459 Tls. 487,483,829
56.49
56.86
German
3,527
Japanese
4,917
4,032,147 3,871,859
""
67,257,251
9.88
8:01
""
58,731,277
9*49
6:17
French....
978
664,987
23,902,046
1'63
3.65
American
1,311
474,479
"
6,539,362
1.16
72
Swedish and Norwegian
324
328,528
19
7,170,574
*81
71
Russian
449
*
292,178
19
7,425,600
*72
1.18
Other Countries
777
226,588
+1
4,899,704
*55
1'02
Chinese
34,129
7,864,217
"1
297,666,981
19:27
21.68
69,230
40,807,242
961,076,624
100'00
100'00
""
The vessels entered and cleared in 1900 were made up of 57,576 Steamers of 39,555,768 tons, and 11,654 Sailing Vessels of 1,251,474 tons.
The gross Coast trade in vessels of foreign build amounted to Tls. 261,525,834 outward, and Tls. 307,365,514 inward, the net native imports (that is goods not re-ex- ported) at the Treaty Ports being Tls. 108,036,714, and the exports to Treaty Ports Tls. 74,918,500.
The Imperial Maritime Customs revenue for the same year amounted to Haikwan Taels 22,873,985, and was derived from
Foreign Native
Total
Imports Exports Coast T'de Opium Opium Tnage Transit Duty. Duty. Duty. Duty. Lekin. Dues. Dues. 4,981,622 6,620,240 676,368 1,240,985 3,305,648 382,652 1,072,307 655,775
782,738 1,755,731
680,276 536,704 44,584 138,355
5,764,360 8,375,971 1,059,020 2,313,292 3,961,423 724,860 675,059
Mr. F. E. Taylor, Statistical Secretary to the Imperial Maritime Customs, in his report on the Foreign Trade of China for 1900, says: "The great expansion of China's Foreign trade, shown by the statistics for 1899, was continued during the first half of 1900, but the disturbances in the North, which became serious in June, not only stopped for a time all trade at Newchwang and Tientsin, which had shown such improvement during the previous year, but naturally had a depressing effect through- out the ports."
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In a general review of the progress of trade for the past decarle he says: "It will be seen that, with some exceptions, the trade in Cotton Piece Goods has remained practically stationary, and in some items has even fallen off. The exceptions are American Drills, Jeans, and Sheetings, which show a strong advance, and Cotton Flannel (principally American) and Cotton Lastings, which are evidently increasing in favour. English Shirtings and T-Cloths, with English Drills, Jeans, and Sheetings, have made no headway. Japanese Cotton Goods seem likely to find an enlarged market. English Cotton Yarn has not progressed, while Indian and Japanese Yarns have advanced rapidly. The trades in Woollen Goods and Metals are not growing. Among Sundries, Candles, Cement, Clocks and Watches, Aniline Dyes, Window Glass, Paints, and Perfumery have gradually increased in demand; while Flour, Kerosene Oil, Matches, and Soap have been imported in much larger quantities every year.
"As regards heavy Cotton Goods, the expansion in American manufactures at the expense of British is natural and must be expected to continue. Indeed, it is remark- able that the Lancashire goods have held their own so well; and the fact is possibly to be explained by the conservatism of the Chinese, who are slow to adopt a new chop. The rapid growth of the Cotton-weaving industry in America has resulted in a production in excess of domestic requirements, and America has become an exporter under favourable conditions. Proximity to China, cheaper freights, and the evident advantage of using indigenous Cotton are all factors which will contribute to the future expansion of the American trade. The Fancy Cotton Goods, such as Lastings, Lancashire can hold its own, as these goods are mostly manufactured from Egyptian Cotton. English Cotton Yarn cannot be expected to make progress in the Chinese market against the competition of the Indian, Japanese, and local mills. The demand is for low counts; and while the principal business of the English mills is in high-count
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