Chungking, July 9.
N exclusive interview was granted by the Chinese Minister of Economic Affairs, Dr. Wong Wen-hao, to Mr. H. H. P, Melchers, Trans-Ocean's General Manager for the Far East. Asked how far China was still dependent on foreign imports, the Minister stated that this was still the case to a certain degree, especially regards the import of war materials.
The Chinese Government, however, had stored substantial quantities of war materials and was therefore able to carry on without further imports for a con~ siderable time if necessary, particularly in view of the absence of large-scale fighting which had been a noticeable feature for some time, 'As regards the economic and especially' the industrial reconstruc~ lon of China's South-west: which has been largely. publicized, the Minister declared that' this development was factually not so. very important, and Significant as it had often been stated to. be, In reallly. the south-western industries Were fairly" Insignificant and should not be overrated. These Industries, however, were not neces sary (0 the Chinese life as China was SUM an overwhelmingly' agricultural country and the population was little Gependent on the industries. There fore one should not attach foo much Importance to the South-western economic development.
The provinces still further west such og Ninghsia were practically un~ touched by the war. The provinces were rather poor and the population satisfied with what they grow them-Selves, neither Importing nor export ing anything substantial, Trafic facilities were missing and the provinges were largely left alone. Merely Kanisu had gained a certain impor~ tance for the transit to Soviet Russia.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.