The Bay of Plenty Times MONDAY, JULY 24th, 1939 AN IMPORTANT ROAD.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 12801, 24 July 1939, Page 4

The Bay of Plenty Times MONDAY, JULY 24th, 1939 AN IMPORTANT ROAD.

The road from Burma to the Chinese, South-western province of Yunnan may aptly be termed one of the modern wonders of the world, apart from its strategic value to China, and to Britain also. It has been described as one of the most remarkable feats of road construction in history. Prom Chungking, in Yunnan, to the Burmese border is 1400 miles, and at its highest point the road is 7500 feet above sea level. The whole of it was surveyed, laid out and constructed hi'eight months by native labour. The total distance from Rangoon to Chungking is 2100 miles, and it is over this route that China, owing to the Japanese blockade of her ports, has now to depend for her military supplies. At present the normal Avidth of the road is 24 feet, but this is to be increased to 30ft. It skirts the slopes of high mountains and crosses mighty rivers. Large sections of it are built of hand-cut stone blocks, also placed by hand. The present route from Rangoon by river, raihvay and higliAvay is now China’s only life line. It is natural, therefore, that the traffic in the transport of munitions over this route should have been the subject of protests to Burma by the Japanese Government, but the Burmese GoA’ernment has taken the stand that the road Avas constructed for trade purposes, and is not concerned about the nature of the goods transported. A recent suggestion, of special importance to Britain, is that the province of Yunnan be ceded to Burma. Yunnan it is stated is largely Mahommedan, and nearer in kinship to the Shan States in Burma than to the Chinese. Were this cession to take place, the entire length of road from Rangoon to Canton, opposite Avhieh lies Hongkong, Avould be at the disposal of the British Government should the need arise. In a Avar Avith Japan the importance of the road to Great Britain Avould be inestimable. THOUGHT FOB THE DAY LIFE has no blessing like a prudent friend.—Euripides.