BITS OF BROKEN CHINA:
THE RAS VISIT TO NORTH-EAST CHINA IN SEARCH OF COLONIAL REMNANTS 15TH TO 21ST OCTOBER 1999
ROBERT NIELD
That I led a group of 25 people to the Shantung Peninsula and successfully brought 18 of them back to Hong Kong was, I have to say, a major achievement - and one of which I am very proud.
My part in this trip dates from an earlier RAS China visit, that to Ningpo, Chusan and Dinghai in 1998. Even as long ago as that, the ever-resourceful Geoffrey Roper had already largely planned a visit that would take in an inspection of the remains of German influence in Tsingtao, and of the British presence in Chefoo and Weihaiwei. Dur- ing the boat trip back to Ningpo from Dinghai I discussed Geoffrey's plans with him, and innocently suggested that it would rather complete the set if the trip also took in the former Russian and Japanese posses- sions over the water in Dalian and Port Arthur. And there the matter rested.
Many months later, by which time I had totally forgotten my “help- ful" suggestion that torpedoed Geoffrey's careful planning, it came about that he, unfortunately, could not lead the trip himself - and he asked me if I would volunteer for the job. Never having organised anything like this before, and having no idea of what was involved, in my blissful ignorance I said that I would be happy to oblige.
::
My job as a professional accountant (a partner in a very large firm, no less!) involves me sitting at the top of an enormous pyramid of very capable and industrious people, such that more often than not com- pleted pieces of work are presented to me for my review. It came as a major shock, therefore, to find out how much work is involved in put- ting together what, for the people who accompanied me, was hope- fully six pleasant and relaxing days exploring interesting places.
I was sure that everything "would be alright on the night" - and sure enough, more or less it was. But only with the significant help of
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BITS OF BROKEN CHINA:
THE RAS VISIT TO NORTH-EAST CHINA IN SEARCH OF COLONIAL REMNANTS 15TH TO 21ST OCTOBER 1999
ROBERT NIELD
That I led a group of 25 people to the Shantung Peninsula and successfully brought 18 of them back to Hong Kong was, I have to say, a major achievement - and one of which I am very proud.
My part in this trip dates from an earlier RAS China visit, that to Ningpo, Chusan and Dinghai in 1998. Even as long ago as that, the ever-resourceful Geoffrey Roper had already largely planned a visit that would take in an inspection of the remains of German influence in Tsingtao, and of the British presence in Chefoo and Weihaiwei. Dur- ing the boat trip back to Ningpo from Dinghai I discussed Geoffrey's plans with him, and innocently suggested that it would rather complete the set if the trip also took in the former Russian and Japanese posses- sions over the water in Dalian and Port Arthur. And there the matter rested.
Many months later, by which time I had totally forgotten my “help- ful" suggestion that torpedoed Geoffrey's careful planning, it came about that he, unfortunately, could not lead the trip himself - and he asked me if I would volunteer for the job. Never having organised anything like this before, and having no idea of what was involved, in my blissful ignorance I said that I would be happy to oblige.
::
My job as a professional accountant (a partner in a very large firm, no less!) involves me sitting at the top of an enormous pyramid of very capable and industrious people, such that more often than not com- pleted pieces of work are presented to me for my review. It came as a major shock, therefore, to find out how much work is involved in put- ting together what, for the people who accompanied me, was hope- fully six pleasant and relaxing days exploring interesting places.
I was sure that everything "would be alright on the night" - and sure enough, more or less it was. But only with the significant help of
Page 360Page 361
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