BRITAIN AND CHINA

Evening Star, Issue 20061, 29 December 1928, Page 8

BRITAIN AND CHINA

IMPORTANCE OF DEVELOPMENTS STRESSED (British Official Wireless.) Press Association—By Telegraph —Copyright. RUGBY, December 28. (Received December 29, at noon.) The ‘Manchester Guardian,’ , commenting on the Anglo-Chineso Treaty, says: “Tho commercial treaty and the formal act of recognition together mark a turning point in Anglo-Cliineso relations, whose ultimate . consequences are likely to be profound. Tho conclusion of tho treaty required the formal recognition of the Nanking Government, and the two acts together constitute the most definite proof that has yet been given that our assurances of sympathy for the Chinese national aspirations have been sincere and will be carried into practical cllect.” Tho ‘ Daily Telegraph ’ also emphasises that if the direct commercial advantages likely to be gained are small and have not disposed British traders in China to enthusiasm, the new treaty as a diplomatic achievement is not to be minimised. It is no inconsiderable advantage to have placed on a regular footing the collection of surtaxes hitherto levied arbitrarily and separately, and it is to be hoped that the whole of tho duties will be collected henceforth by the single agency of the Maritime Customs to the advantage both of the Government and trading community. As for tho likin, if Nanking cannot abolish it it is certain that no other authority can.