RISE OF CHINESE NATION

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 120, 14 February 1941, Page 8

RISE OF CHINESE NATION

Great Events Described In Chungking

i Received February 14, 1.20 a.m.)

CHUNGKING, February 13.

A special representative of the Associated I’ress had a talk with members of the Chinese Government and formed die conclusion that China is rapidly emerging from Fuedalism and, furthermore, that the Japanese aggression has resulted in unification of the nation which years of patriotic endeavour might, not have achieved.

"China is at present witnessing one of the greatest, events in her history—a mass congregation of the people, industries, universities and schools in the west from the occupied coastal areas,” the correspondent states. “The Chungking authorities are planning to educate the people and to build new industries.

“The Economic ■Minister, Mr. Wong Wenhao, told me that many new blast furnaces are already producing, and the Government is also treating native pig iron and fcrro-silicon. China is now almost self-sufficient in pig iron, but not yet in steel. China is producing good electrolytic copper and is exporting wolfram, tin and mercury. Chungking controls almost all the mercury, antimony, tin, wool, bristles, and wood oil that is produced in China. The Japanese control a number of important cities and railways, but they have no control over the production which does not come from those few cities.

"Mr. Wong said it was very easy for the Japanese to start the war but impossible for them to finish it. "'The Minister of Education. Mr. Chen Li-Fit, told me of the five-year plan for adult and child education which will begin this spring whereby SO per cent, of the population are to belief!'. This will bo coupled with technical education and a plan by which the schools will be used on Sundays as centres for ethical instruction. Mr. Chou Li-Fu intends to conscript every intelligent man in China to help in the communications.

"The Minister, Mr. Clmng-Kiangau. assured me that friction between the Central Government and the Communists lias now been composed, resulting in China presenting a united front. The Foreign Minister, Mr. Wang Chung-Hui emphasized that all reports of friction between Clfimi and Russia were more propaganda. Their relations were perfectly friendly."