2 Feb 1942, Harry Ching's wartime diary

((Following text not dated:))

Early February five and ten sen notes appeared, and shop prices quoted mostly in yen.

Warning notice that Third Nationals should not consort with enemy nationals and should not leave urban limits. Further notice stated Third Nationals without employment must register professions. Rumoured Japanese short of workers for Hainan naval base and elsewhere. Clearly bad strategy to report unemployed. I registered as "broker" - everyone not trying manufacture soap trying to buy and sell something.

Portuguese community, totalling estimated 1,100, receiving rice daily at Club Lusitano. Indians getting flour, beans and ghee, but no rice, once a week. One disadvantage of masquerading as stateless person is not included in any hand-out group.

Japanese announce rice ration for Central - half a catty a head daily at twenty cents, payment in advance for five days' supply. Rice ration also said available in Kowloon, and there some people also getting bread ration. 

Food prices rising daily. A pound of bread, eighteen cents before war, now $1.40. Loaves weigh only 12 ounces each and grey with adulteration. Markets have little meat of mysterious origin and at high prices. Fish also costly, but there is shark at $2 a catty. 

Officially estimated that by 1st February 450,000 Chinese had left. In first week of February a ship took to Macau first contingent of Hongkong residents. These mostly local Portuguese numbered 947, and a second contingent of about 400 followed next day. The ship made a trip later to former French port, Kwong Chow Wan. All French nationals advised go there. Those remaining in Hongkong estimated 70, including priests and nuns. One by one friends slipping out, mostly for Kweilin via Macau and Kwong Chow Wan. Each departure leaves us lonelier.