606
CHINA
distances from the interior, it is gratifying to notice that the improvement of transporta- tion and the construction of roads is increasingly engaging the attention of te provincial authorities. Motor-boats are also coming into favour on inland waterways, and motor-cars are now encountered wherever the roads lend themselves to this traffic. Shipbuilding in China is becoming a flourishing industry, with a promising future, and is likely before long to be counted among the great assets of the country along with its coal, iron, and steel industries. Railway construction has not advanced much in recent years, no doubt owing to difficulties caused by the war and the high silver exchange; but, as the need for railway communication throughout the country is obvious, it is expected that extension of the existing lines and construction of new ones will be resumed without delay. Harbour and river conservancy is not neglected, and there are several works in progress improving conditions in this connexion. The lighting of the coast of China and the establishment and maintenance of the necessary aids to navigation is constantly being improved and added to. ̈ Education on foreign lines is proceeding apace, and the number of Chinese students leaving for America and Europe is increasing year by year. Many other instances of growth and advancement could be cited. Unfortunately, the present political state of the country is not con- ducive to peaceful development. It will only be when China has settled her internal grievances, and has once more united in the desire to realise and extend her natural assets, that general development of the country's illimitable resources will be possible.
Value in Silver and Sterling of the Foreign Trade of China, 1892 to 1920 :-
Year.
Average Exchange.
Imports.
Exports.
S. d.
Hk. Tls.
£
Hk. Tls.
£
1892
4
4+
140,298,086
30,544,061
102,583,525
22,333,288
1893
3
111
...
...
149,928,703
29,517,212
116,632,311
22,961,986
1894
3
28
...
...
163,897,525 26,206,530
128,104,522
20,483,379
1895
3
31
...
172,853,145
28,268,688
143,293,211
23,434,411
1896
3
4
...
...
...
209,106,866
34,851,143
131,081,421
21,846,903
1897
2 113
204,554,227
30,470,055
163,501,358
24,354,889
1898
2
102
...
217,761,975 31,416,701
159,037,149
22,944,422
1899*... 1900+...
1901
1902
1903 1904 1905
...
...
...
...
...
...
3
...
...
280,907,296 42,282,402
195,784,832
29,469,696
3
11
...
223,791,888
34,734,365
158,996,752
24,677,621
2
11
...
280,472,693
41,559,625
169,656,757
25,139,243
2
74
...
335,601,739 43,628,226
214,181,584
27,843,605
2
...
7年
-2
103
3
...
ᄒᄒ
343,300,115 45,296,542 348,603,090 49,966,442 458,340,485
214,352,467
28,282,616
239,486,683
34,326,424
68,942,047 227,888,197
34,278,183
1906 1907 1908
1909
3
31
...
414,184,061
68,167,793 236,456,739
38,916,838
3
3
...
422,838,531
68,711,261
264,380,697 42,961,863
2 8
396,261,991
52,834,931
276,660,403 36,888,053
2
...
1910 1911‡.. 1912
...
...
1913§... 1914||....... 1915 1916 1917 1918
417,586 237
54,261,460
338,992,814 44,051,410
8
...
462,437,260
62,260,433
380,833,328 51,273,653
2
...
473,517,685
3
08
471,809,192
63,628,938 377,338,166 50,700,286 72,000,048 370,520,403 56,544,517
...
01 570,064,696
86,103,508
403,305,546 60,915,191
81 546,425,219
74,564,285
345,280,874
47,116,943
2
7
454,475,719
58,939,820
418,861,164
54,321,457
3
3
...
16
516,406,995
86,767,390
481,797,36
78,820,556
4
313
549,518,774
118,633,090
462,931,630
99,940,188
...
5
316
554,893,082
146,670,958
485,883,031
128,430,019
1919
1920
6
4
616,997,681
204,882,600
630,809,411
199,756,3 3
6
91
762,250,230
258,847,474
541,631,300
183,928,963
It will be observed in this table that an increase in silver values does not always mean an increase in trade when measured in sterling.
* Influence of railways felt.
‡ Revolution in October.
+ Boxer outbreak.
European war from August. § Rebellion in summer.
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