Fax Cover Letter With Confidentiality Statement

1932, the consul's plea for a Consulate General in Hong Kong!

The demand for higher consulate in Hong Kong consulate to consulate general is recurrent from the beginning of the century. In 1932, the consul sets out a detailed argument, full of information on the status of the colony and the French presence at the time.
The transformation of a diplomatic consulate to consulate general is never a decision taken lightly, and it is always a case closely followed by the States concerned. The country that decides to initiate such a representation shows his interest for the city and its willingness to develop relations, the host sees a mark of recognition ... There is also a personal interest and financial support for the consul assigned to such a function. The fees are higher at a consulate general and career perspective, it is better for a consul-general to get a job rather than just a namesake consulate.
Dufaure Georges de la Prade is in this case, in 1932. The diplomat of fifty years, an alumnus of the School of Oriental Languages live, hold positions in the area for 27 years. It began as a student interpreter in Seoul, and climbed the ladder slowly but surely the diplomatic service: Canton, Hoi-How, Shanghai, Foochow, Amoy, Canton and again. It is the rank of Chevalier of the Legion of Honor in 1923 and was appointed Consul General Oct. 25, 1930. On this occasion, he was sent to Hong Kong, but this post is a consulate ... and it does not touch all the benefits of its new administrative grade. One of his
predecessors, Ernest-Gaston Liebert (stayed 15 years in office between 1901 and 1916) had increased the processing demands of the position, in vain. Georges de la Prade Dufaure soon also to split a long letter, addressed "the minister of France in China", the equivalent of ambassador before diplomatic relations are normalized with that country. To justify the importance of his position, he provides a valuable inventory of the colony, the French community and the interests of France.
Rising position required "first because of the importance of the British colony Hong Kong economically and politically. " The consul general describes at length with force figures, the advantages of the island. Strategic naval base, commercial hub, the political center, everything goes to give Hong Kong its importance. The diplomat, is known lover of poetry, often mixes some theatrics at its consular prose, he shows by example that Hong Kong is a land of asylum "is the haven of choice, also welcoming the ships only survivors political storms raging on the neighboring territory more often than typhoons on the seas of China in response to a past bright future and duller, dullest only because a solar eclipse temporarily obscures the whole sky, already ajar, on the horizon, bright and limitless, the prospects for a future beyond compare. "
Dufaure La Prade is also a relevant analyst. His vision of the future of Hong Kong is disturbing news, "As soon as the global crisis is over, and as and as China becomes available barriers [...], and advised that the Chinese and foreign traders, there will fix , free of abuses and disorders, their business headquarters, Hong Kong will play a decidedly preponderant in the Far East. " Moreover, it is already at the time of the 5th trading port in the world. And the consul of price increases in this regard: "his rival, New York, Hamburg, Antwerp, London, and smaller ports such as Trieste and Alexandria all have French consulates general."
interests of France are many and deserve to be better defended the diplomat said. From a demographic standpoint, it shows that ignoring the Chinese and English who are at home, the French are behind the fourth community Japanese, Portuguese and Americans, "with 227 people over 78 Annamites."
Regarding business, "we are the only ones with the Japanese, Dutch and Americans to own credit institutions." And cite the bank and the bank Indochina Sino-French industry. "The Bank of Indochina was able secure a position of first order since it is the 4th largest bank [...] immediately after the three British banks of the square." Two shipping lines are installed and there are many links with Indochina, giving France the third largest in trade flows, and a 1 / 10 of total global trade transactions.
"In the moral point of view, the French influence is exercised" through a long list of institutions. "A hospital known to the public only under the name of French hospital" is at the top of the list. Boarding school, orphanage, various works of the Sisters of St. Paul de Chartres, provides general of the Foreign Missions (with its printing and sanatorium), College of the Brothers of Christian Doctrine ... Everything is then reviewed. The consul also boasts "a lending library of books [...] in Consulate offices with nearly 3,000 volumes. "
Dufaure La Prade emphasizes an important fact. The Consulate in Hong Kong is an interface between the colonized Indochina, China is full boil and the base of the British presence in the region. Samples of the products of the colony are distributed in Hong Kong through the consulate, Annamites revolutionary exiles are monitored, etc..
To drive the point home, the consul part in a series of general comments. "All the great nations, but Germany and France have here consulates general," and he adds that the consuls-general are more highly regarded and treated by the colonial authorities, "they enjoy greater support than simple consuls. And then, "here, in transit, officials [...] of eminent persons that the consul would welcome a position worthy of the name. The financial problem is finally addressed with the reception and holding the rank "since, in all likelihood, the SPA would be slightly relieved."
Despite these justifications, the Dufaure Prade leaves office in 1934 without winning a due to the British colony. He transferred to Milan, and became minister plenipotentiary before being sent Kabul where he ended his career. Before the Second World War, the position has not changed its name. In the current research, it is assumed that the return of the French diplomatic presence in Hong Kong in 1946, during the transition from consulate to consulate general.

FD.

Sources: Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nantes.

Coat Sugar Fruit With Egg Whites

«First Vision of China "Victor Segalen

From 1909 to 1913, Victor Segalen made the first of his three visits to China. Party to perfect his knowledge of Chinese language, he took the opportunity he dreamed of settling in the country in January 1911 by accepting a professorship at the School of Medicine Tiensin. He never returned to France in July 1913.

April 25, 1909, Victor Segalen embarked at Marseilles for China aboard the "Sydney". He leaves his wife in France, Yvonne ("Mavone") and their son Yvon, born in 1906, who will join later. Since 1908, Segalen started learning Chinese, and his examination of student-interpreter of the Navy, received a nomination in China for advanced study in Chinese language. Throughout the voyage, he sent numerous letters Mavone mixing prints, descriptions and tips for his upcoming trip. The "Sydney" landed in Hong Kong May 25, at night under "torrents of water." The very next day, his wife Segalen address a long letter in which he mentions his meeting with Mr Jasson, French postmaster at Hankow, which ensures the regularity of the jobs in the country, where he expressed his wonder at this first contact with China:
"Hong Kong is a splendid thing. First View of China because these lofty mountains, elegant lines and Noble, draped in green bush veiled breasts sometimes mid-hills of the shadows of clouds, this is the land of China, despite the English possession. I confess, however, that these owners have fired a splendid party. Check
absurd in the night. Clouds, clouds and rain on the coast. My dinner companion and stop, the young Spaniard in Manila, my driver kindly. But what "scenic!" The word, banal, is best placed in the world. Heights, amphitheaters alleys, nations, shops, green wet masses, signs, colors, sun and clouds in the English ingenuity. Inevitable ascent funicular Peak. But overlooking a sea of mist only. The sampans are
family homes floating. While moving their passenger ship to land, they engaged in the most diverse social occupations, except one that would increase an already overflowing: the father, front, pulls on a rowing scull and women in government the back, and hanging on his own back at her, a baby asleep last movement it does to push the boat. Between the two, man and woman, a whole brood of the diameter of Yvon, which some sleeping, others are rowing, sailing or lead, or eat or ... or fight. These are good people day and night of pretty pirates. They have, until recently lost more than one passenger or more than one boat on which they embarked as passengers, and they gave some filaments twisting the English. Even now, we do not set sail at night in one of these sampans without a Hindu policeman takes the issue: to find the culprits then, in case of damage to the passenger, or even drowning caused enough ... Check
to 4 pm Beauty of the pass of the East. Like a beautiful ripe fruit which is lovingly palp outlines, our walk around slowly but surely the wake of a distant globular China which I'll squeeze the juice so greedily! "
arrived in Beijing on June 12, Segalen is waiting until early July Auguste Gilbert de Voisins, his expedition companion. Both left the capital on August 9 for a big trip in western China. They arrive in Chengdu on December 6 and are welcomed by the Consul General of France, Pierre Bons d'Anty. After going down the Yangtze River, they reached Shanghai January 28, 1910. In early February, and Segalen Neighbors set sail for Japan and visit Nagasaky, Kobe, Osaka, Kyoto and Tokyo. February 27, Return to Hong Kong, Victor Segalen Mavone found there and Yvon.

DVR.

Sources: Segalen (Victor), Letters of China. Paris, Plon, 1967; Segalen (Victor), Oeuvres completes, Paris, Robert Laffont, 1995, Victor Segalen, Paris, Les Cahiers de l'Herne, 1998;
Dumasy (Jacques), France and Sichuan, a look centenary Chengdu, Consulate General of France, 2007. Photo Credits: Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Paris; http://www.patrimoine.combrit-saintemarine.fr

Scott Kay Artiste Collection Milau

The first two flights to Hong Kong from Farman IV

The Farman IV biplane of wood and canvas, had a special destiny in Hong Kong, a city where he spent the first two. Is on board that was made in 1911 the first airplane flight over the territory and, in 1997, the Farman biplane IV was the first aircraft to use the brand new airport at Chek Lap Kok!

Originally from England, Henry Farman (1874-1958) was born in Paris. He opts for French nationality in 1937 and made his name franciser, to become since in aviation literature, Henri Farman, French aviation pioneer. Indeed, besides cycling and car, Henri Farman also has a passion for aviation emerging. Holder of pilot certificate No. 5 of the Aero Club of France, he succeeded 13 January 1908 the first kilometer closed circuit in Issy-les-Moulineaux. It then performs March 28 the first flight with passenger biplane, October 30, provides the first flight from city to city for a journey of 27 km. His experience and his pioneering role as the lead in building, using his brother Maurice, his own airplanes. The Farman I is an adaptation of an aircraft purchased in 1907 with another French aviation pioneer, Gabriel Voisin. The Farman It is also built from a model neighbor, but his poor performance quickly lead to the abandonment of the project. Quite different is the fate of the Farman III, built in 1909 and marking a milestone in the history of aviation. This is indeed the first plane with ailerons, an innovation that gives the device an excellent stability. In August 1909, Henri Farman wins the controls of the Farman III Grand Prix de Reims Aviation, beating the world record distance of 180 km in 3 hours and 5 minutes. The company sells a Farman III Farman thirty different French buyers (including the military) and foreign. Then, on the basis of technical and commercial success, and Henry Maurice Farman develop the Farman IV.
The new airplane company Farman, incorporates improvements to the Farman III, whose wings and wheels to improve movement on the ground. The scope is extended by one meter. The device displays and a length of 11.67 m, a wingspan of 16.50 m, a bearing surface of 51.5 m2 and a weight of 290 kg empty and 480 kg when fully loaded, allowing it to carry a passenger . The aircraft is powered by a 50hp Gnome engine which allows a speed of 70km / h. The device, like its predecessor, also found a hit with lovers of aviation and armies, which are beginning to see the interest of aviation. Among the purchasers of Farman IV is a pilot who already owns a Farman III, sees the potential of the new machine.
This driver, Charles Van den Born (1873-1958), has many similarities with Henri Farman. Like him, he is of foreign origin, but opts for French nationality in 1936. Born in Liège in 1873 of a French mother and Belgian father, Charles Van den Born is also, as drawn by Henri Farman speed sports and cycling. It is also, from 1895 to 1909 a cycling champion recognized and awarded several times the speed of the Belgian championship. Van den Born Henri Farman also shares the same passion for aviation. He learned to fly at the school Farman Châlons military camp and received 8 March 1910 the pilot certificate No. 37 of the Aero Club of France, then, on March 31, one of the Aero Club of Belgium (No. 6).
Charles Van den Born decided to go to Asia to perform aerial demonstrations. It keeps this project on Farman IV, proven device that has excellent qualities. But Charles Van den Born adds changes to disassembly and reassembly. Farman IV can be disassembled into seven parts, portable crates by ship or train. Charles Van den Born leaves Marseille October 22, 1910, accompanied by a mechanic. He carried with him a lot of spares including a spare engine, three propellers and wheels extra. The pilot made the first flights to Saigon, 10 December 1910, then in Bangkok January 31, 1911, in the presence of the King of Siam. The next step is Hong Kong, where Charles Van den Bron arrives February 27, 1911. Despite several representations to the Governor Frederick Lugard, relayed by those merchants UK Local Charles Van den Born fails to obtain permission to use the racetrack in Happy Valley on Hong Kong Island. Its choice was then on a site near a beach in Shatin, New Territories and the necessary permission to first flight it is finally granted. The news was widely circulated in newspapers in the colony, and March 18, 1911, a special train on the new Kowloon-Canton leads the audience on the site. But a late arrival of the train, bound to a delay in shipment of the Governor, combined with unfavorable weather conditions, with strong winds make it impossible for the air show at the time originally scheduled. The Governor and leave most viewers Shatin when the wind begins to weaken. Charles Van den Born can then take off and that first historic flight to Hong Kong was to witness that some patients and enthusiastic spectators who remained on the spot! Charles Van den Born one month remaining in Hong Kong and perform other air shows in the New Territories but also on the island of Hong Kong, having finally been given permission. Charles Van den Born has paved the way for adventure aviation in Hong Kong.
86 years later, in 1997, when the handover of Hong Kong to China and the recent work preparing for the opening of new Hong Kong airport, Chek Lap Kok to replace that of Kai Tak, the enthusiasts Aviation decided to commemorate this historic first flight to Hong Kong. These enthusiasts Hong Kong Historical Aircraft Association (HKHAA) entrust to a specialized company in Texas, Vintage Aviation Services, the task of building a replica of the Farman IV. The research of the original plans of the aircraft take several months and are led to major museums, including the Royal Museum Army and History of Belgium, the Air Museum at Le Bourget, the Air and Space Museum in Washington and the Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton. The aircraft was completed in September 1997 and, like his illustrious ancestor original, it is shipped to Hong Kong banks, but this time, the journey involves Cargo Boeing 747 and not by boat. As in 1911 also, the arrival of Farman IV at the airport from Kai Tak, winding its premises located at Chek Lap Kok and the preparations for this "second first flight" are the subject of extensive media coverage in the Hong Kong press. The flight can be conducted in Shatin for the field where the first flight takes place in Hong Kong is now surrounded by tall buildings. On November 15, 1997, the pilot of the plane, Roger Freeman, dressed in pilot early twentieth century, so off the runway at Chek Lap Kok for a 20-minute flight and landing there. The event is followed by a large crowd, including officials of the new government of Hong Kong. Farman IV becomes the first aircraft in history to use the runway of the new airport of Hong Kong, several months before its opening to traffic.
The airport authorities and enthusiasts decide HKHAA keep the replica of the Farman IV and the offer to the admiration of air travelers the twenty-first century. Farman IV is so, since April 22, 1998, suspended from the ceiling of the airport terminal I of Hong Kong, frail "chicken coop" of wood and canvas that recalls the journey to Hong Kong's adventure aviation.

CR.

Source: magazine "Pegasus", July 1999; www.hydroretro.net; archives of the South China Morning Post. Photo credits: Jean Devaux, CR. http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Cockpit/9695/HongKongfirstflight.htm

How Much Does Lamination Cost At Staples

Chamber of Commerce opens its doors in 1986!

To meet the needs of a thriving community of entrepreneurs in the mid-1980s, a handful of them met to create the first French Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong. Over 20 years later, success is not denied and the memories are many. Back on the course of the "French business association."

the mid-1980s, the French community in Hong Kong is rapidly increasing. Companies interested in the British colony, but sometimes shy because we know (at from 1984) that China will resume his duties in 1997. Danger or Opportunity? To answer these questions and lead a dynamic French in business, six or seven entrepreneurs decided to create a chamber of commerce and industry. "The Consulate of France grew in this direction for some time," says Gerard Millet, one of the founding members. There was a real need on the part of businesses. "
The first president of Alain Argenlieu. "The resources were very limited at first, remember Gerard Millet, now director of Sodica, a consulting firm in mergers and acquisitions of Crédit Agricole. We had very little money. "And no permanent offices! The association is now traveling, hosted by various French companies. "The first officers were often the banking sector, says the businessman. Caring for such an association was heavy and required the secretariat. "
Gerard Millet is the third president from 1989 to 1991, a time when the association takes great extent, evidence of its success. "A reorganization was necessary, he says. In 1990, we moved into our first office, and the first post employee director was created. " Then the presidency of Paul Clerc-Renaud, director of Fargo from 1991 to 1993. This is a pivotal time: "It was just after Tiananmen were many who shook Hong Kong, remembers the person. He had to reassure the French employees to encourage them to come here. "It was then that are negotiated permanent visas for key employees of major French companies. "It was also the time of frigates of Taiwan and relations were formally difficult with China, says the former president. But Deng Xiao Ping led a policy of openness in the South. "
In 1992, fears are still recurring topic of upcoming return to Chinese rule. This is the subject of the first article of the first issue of the journal "Hong Kong echo", the magazine of the Chamber of Commerce: "Hong Kong: Who's Afraid of 1997?" Is signed by Yves Chemla. The entrepreneur is optimistic and even enthusiastic about the opportunities ahead. This is the slogan of the General Chamber of Commerce during those years. Also in 1992, with the same desire to win the French businessmen, Paul Clerc-Renaud initiates the transaction "The Chinese world." 300 CEOs responded to the call and go visit the special economic zone of Shenzhen. "It was a real adventure in the delta of the Pearl River, says Paul Clerc-Renaud. It was a huge site where everything was under construction. Henry Fok had opened the highway under construction just for us! "
In July 1992 a new governor, Christopher Patten (now Lord Patten), was appointed in Hong Kong. "In October, he made a speech highly frowned upon by Beijing, where he laid out his conditions for surrender next resumed its former president Clerc-Renaud. We met him the day he went to Beijing ... He was limping because of an injury done to tennis in the morning! ". Relationships have always been close with the authorities, the association also like having an interface for communication and mediation. The chamber had also received the predecessor Chris Patten, Governor David Wilson. "It was a great sinologist says Paul Clerc Renaud. A very fine man who anticipated the reactions of the Chinese, but very misjudged by John Major. "
The French business association, is also a network, the scene of many meetings with personalities: Valery Giscard d'Estaing, Raymond Barre, Dominique Strauss-Kahn, Michel Rocard, for politics, but Matthieu Ricard, Jacques Seguela Loick Peyron, Pierre Haski and many others to name the French. The book is full of signatures from guests! The chamber has also embarked on organizing the prestigious closing gala of the French May.
With its 600 members and its thirteen permanent employees, the French Chamber of Commerce today is more dynamic than ever. This is the second European chamber, just behind the British. "It's always a social club for entrepreneurs, but totally appropriate for Hong Kong, said Maryse Kraatz, the current CEO. We exceed the dimension of solidarity between the French to go further. By chambers of commerce are powerful and we must be open to foreigners and, of course, to Hong Kong! ". Almost all large French companies are members, thus expanding your password now by businessmen from Hong Kong or by French SMEs wishing to internationalize ... "It a major city to start business opportunities abroad, said the CEO. It is the regional base for the majority of our businesses. "
Chamber of Commerce receives no funding from the French state, is a private company that saw its membership dues. "We meet the needs of members through organizing events, conferences," said Maryse Kraatz. We also thirteen committees to address current problems and expectations of our members. Lobbying activity is very important, even essential. "In 2006, in his editorial for the anniversary issue of the journal "Hong Kong echo" Jacques Chirac praised the "Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Hong Kong French for his tireless work in favor of deepening ties between France and Hong Kong." And French President concluded: "I express the hope that it continues to this company the benefit of all."

FD.

Sources: Hong Kong echo; French business directory with thanks to Maryse Kraatz, Paul Clerc-Renaud and Mr. Gerard Millet, for the time they have spent and their valuable information. Photo credits: private archives.
The two photographs: Paul Clerc-Renaud with Governor Wilson (center) and then with Governor Patten. Third paper: cover of the first issue of the journal Hong Kong Echo in autumn 1992.