OUTLOOK FOR CHINA

Taranaki Daily News, 7 April 1931, Page 9

OUTLOOK FOR CHINA

FAITH IN THE FUTURE.

POSSIBILITIES OF TRADE.

Sydney, March 28.

Conspicuous in a flowing Chinese costume, Dr. T. Z. Koo, vice-chairman of the World’s Student Christian Federation, is at present touring Australia. « Dr. Koo, whose work for the World’s Student Christian Federation takes him all over the world, is one of China’s leading men to-day. He has represented his country at conferences held by the League of Nations at Geneva; he was one of her representatives at the first Institute of Pacific Relations and he has visited the United States on behalf of banking interests in China. His visit to Australia is of special significance, as he has been asked by the director of the China Bureau of Economic Information to obtain all the details he can about the possibilities of trade development between Australia and his own country. There is nothing of the ascetic about Dr. Koo’s appearance. Though of slender build he gives an - impression of strength and energy. As he epeaks his face breaks into a smile and his large brown eyes siparkle. When his English fails him—-which is very seldom —his expressive hands help him out of the difficulty. His thoughts and his words are those of a man with a big message —that of optimism in the new China which is arising out of the ruins that have been left 'by the wars and the turmoil of recent years. China has awakened, says Dr. Koo. She has • seen the futility of warfare and strife, and, because of the general desire of the people for peace, a widespread settling-down process is going on. She is looking for trade development throughout the world. She is anxious to know all she can about trade conditions in Australia. Dr. Koo said that the turmoil had gradually ceased in China because of two reasons. The first was that the military forces had fought until they were able to fight no longer; the second —the more important —was the widespread desire for peace. “I am optimistic about the future of China,” said Dr. Koo. “The people are rallying round the Central Government because they are realising that China must have unity and stability. It is realised that China must have trade. Our huge country will yet be one of the largest markets in the world. Already'we have find a visit from a British economic delegation to investigate the possibilities of trade. The welcome that that delegation received is indicative of the feelings in China to-day. . Dr. Koo was educated at Shanghai University, where he graduated in arts. He has done post-graduate work in America and England and studied philosophy at Balliol. College, Oxford. He is extremely interested in music and is an accomplished flautist. Dr. Koo said that one of the most promising features of the new China was that nearly all the men in responsible positions were Christians. A large majority of the Ministers of State were Christians. Christianity was no longer a foreign religion in China. But it was not the Christianity of the West. They cared very little for denominations or church policies or traditions. They simply wanted to know what the teaching of Christ could do for China to-day.