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Chapter
VII
Chinese Construction
IT must always be kept in mind that the twen-
tieth century development of China will be
along lines Chinese and not European ; that is,
it will be in conformity with native characteris-
tics, modified by modern ideas. This would be
an unnecessary truism were it not apparently lost
sight of at times by those planning for China's
development, and not always remembered by
foreigners in their general relations with the
Chinese Government and people. It is therefore
pertinent to inquire what is the condition of their
art of construction, wherein are the abilities of
the Chinese sufficiently advanced to-day, and
wherein must their resources be supplemented in
order to bring up the industrial development of
the country to the new standard.
Everyone knows that the Chinese once led the
world in scientific and material development, but
that they were acquainted with the principles of
good engineering design was a surprise to me.
At the seaports where foreigners have resided, or
even in those portions of the Empire into which
foreign ideas might have penetrated, it was ex-
pected to see structures bearing the imprint of
modern skill in design or construction ; but it was
not expected to find such things in the unexplored
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