Directory_and_Chronicle_1937 — Page 515

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TSINGTAO (KIAOCHAU)

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were as follows: direct foreign imports, 51.2 million dollars as against 48.5 million in the preceding year; coastwise importations of Chinese merchandise, 30.9 million dollars as against 34.6 million; direct exports, to foreign countries, 48.6 million dollars as against 35.3 million; and coastwise exportations pf Chinese produce, 74.6 million dollars for all classes of trade with the exception of coastwise imports of Chinese goods. The increase in direct imports from abroad may be attributed to much improved demand for textile machinery, electrical and railway materials, artificial silk yarn, and sugar. The year's total import of machinery and tools made a great advance as compared with that of the previous year, amounting in value to 6.7 million dollars as against 4.1 million. Of the varieties imported, textile machinery ranks first with a total value of 3.6 million dollars, due to the establishment of new cotton mills in Tsingtao. Of textile machinery, 92 per cent. was imported from Japan, the balance being shared between Great Britain and Germany. Importations of raw cotton showed a small increase of 3,582 quintals. The total imports of. sugar were 270,281 quintals valued at $2,191,011 as compared with 193,502 quintals valued at $2,022,792 for 1934. The year's total importation of timber amounted in value to $3,869,565, as against a value of $3,699,927 in the preced- ing year. Imports of artificial silk yarn were good during the the early part of the year, but fell off during the middle and end of the year with a recrudes- cence of smuggling in northern waters. The quantity of this yarn imported. amounted to 355,631 kilogrammes as compared with 33,149 kilogrammes in 1934. Of the commodities of import that showed decreases, mention may be made of kerosene oil. The year's total import amounted to 38,136,699 litres, or 7,832,198 and 158,854 litres less respectively than during the years 1933 and 1934. The chief feature of interest in this trade was the, conspicuous increase in importations from Japan, from 328,120 litres in 1934 to 3,210,593 litres during 1935. Of articles exported directly abroad, the first place is still held by ground nut products. Helped, it is true, by rising prices, the total value of groundnuts exported amounted to just over 12 million dollars in value, followed by groundnut oil valued at 9.6 million dollars. During the year leaf tobacco to the value of 3.9 million dollars was exported.. The tobacco grown in Shan¬ tung is of two kinds, native and American leaf (known as sun yen (), or smoked tobacco). The former is used for preparing water-pipe tobacco, while the American variety is largely used for making cigarettes. The area under tobacco cultivation is stated to be 410,000 mou, and the output is estimated at over 500,000 quintals a year. Shipments were made, largely to Manchuria, Japan, and Korea. Eggs and egg products occupy an important place in the export trade of Tsingtao, but exports have, unfortunately, shown a serious decline during the past two or three years. Unfavourable exchange. and a slackening of demand have reacted unfavourably, while there is need for an improvement in methods of poultry-farming in Shantung and for a reduction in transport charges from the interior. Exports were valued at 3 million dollars, a reduction of 6 per cent. as compared with the preceding year. Other principal articles of export in order of value are beef, 2.2 million dollars; crude salt, 2,1 million; cotton yarn, 1.8 million; bristles, 1.3 miltion; wheat bran, 1.2 million; pigs, 1.2 million followed by coal, fly and. waste cotton, groundnut cake meal, cow hides, raw and waste silk, cigarettes, straw braid, pigs' intestines, dried chillies, vegetable medicinal substances, and matches. The prices of groundnuts: fluctuated considerably, from $5.10. per 50 kilogrammes to as much as $8.75, and for a long time they stood well. above $6.50, thus making the average price for the year considerably higher than during 1934. The export coastwise of this commodity registered a set- back, but, although the total quantity thus exported was smaller, the value was higher. The total amount of groundnut oil exported during the year was 353,527 quintals valued at 9.6 million dollars as against 158,430 quintals valued at 3 million dollars for the year 1934, representing an increase of 123 per cent. in quantity and 220 per cent. in value, the reason for this being brisk demand from America. The administration of the province and of the city of Tsingtao during the year fortunately remained in the capable hands of General Han

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