FO371-23515 — Page 58

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CONFIDENTIAL

Not for publication.

200

HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

REPORT ON SHIPPING AND INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITY, 10th FEBRUARY, 1939.

SHIPPING.

The market continues firm.

Fixtures reported were for Bangkok/

Hong Kong on time charter basis: coal from Calcutta/Hong Kong and from

Hongay/Hong Kong. Owing to the approach of China New Year there is a

temporary falling off in rice shipments from Saigon to Hong Kong but large

quantities are expected to move towards the end of February.

Good cargoes

In the China coast trades, the Tientsin market is dull. The demand

from Shanghai to North and South China ports is satisfactory.

from Tsingtao to Shanghai.

"ban" on exports instituted by the Japanese is being rigidly enforced, with

the result very little cargo is offering to Shanghai, and practically nil to

South China. The Chinese Authorities at Foochow have declared an embargo on

all exports to territory under "enemy" control; consequently all shipments to

North China have ceased.

Reports from Chefoo, also Weihaiwei, state the

There is plenty of cargo offering from Fakhoi, but the bombing of

lighters, etc., by the Japanese is seriously interfering with the movement of

cargo and loading of ships. Good support from Hoihow. Owing to godown

congestion, and consequent delay to ships, it has been necessary to restrict

import cargo to Haiphong. As regards exports from Haiphong, the demand is

fair.

There is little change in the Canton River situation. The Japanese

still exclude foreign trading. It was reported the Japanese shortly intended

to "open" Canton to foreign ships, but this has been corrected by the Japanese

to the effect that foreign warships only are permitted free entry. It is also

stated the Japanese are contemplating making Amoy a free port in competition

with Hong Kong, also to operate an Amoy/Hong Kong/Canton service.

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SHIPBUILDING/

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