Extract from "Chine-tail" of the 4th. November, 1907.
IMPERIAL CHINESE COMMISSIONER.
2369
JAN 22 1908,
Banqueted at Hongkong.
His Excellency Yang Shi Chi, the Imperial Chinese Commercial Commissioner, who was appointed by the Throne to travel abroad with a view to developing China's foreign trade, arrived at Hongkong on November 2 on board H.L.C.M. Haichi (1,800 tons), one of the finest cruisers of the Northern Squadron of the Imperial Chinese Navy, the Haiyong, of the same tonnage, accompanying. His Excellency, whose suite includes Taotai Mun Yew Chung (Deputy Director General of the Shanghai-Nanking Railway, and Director of the China Merchants' Steam Navigation Company), and Mr T. S. Pojui, (Hon. Cantab., Assoc. Inst. Civil Engineers, London, also Secretary of the Board of Agriculture Industries and Commerce), and others, was banqueted by the leading Chinese business community at the Tung Tien Hotel on Saturday evening at 8 p.m. There were present some eighty guests, and among those invited were the Hon. Dr Ho Kai, the Hon. Mr Wei Yuk, Messrs Fung Wa Chun, Lau Chu Pak, Tai Tsze Kong, Taotai Wen, of the Imperial Chinese Telegraph, and others. His Excellency Yang, accompanied by Taotai Mun Yew Cheung, and Captain of the Haichi, arrived punctually at a little after 7 o'clock. The Commissioner, who is about forty-five years of age, looks extremely healthy, and after being introduced to the members of the business community present, photographs of the party were taken by flash light. The banquet commenced at 8 o'clock.
After drinking the health of King Edward VII, proposed by Fung Wa Chun, and that of T. I. C. M. the Empress Dowager and Emperor, proposed by Lau Cho Pak, Tam Tsze Kong addressed His Excellency in a most cordial manner to the effect that he hoped His Excellency's mission might meet with every success which would tend to the development of China's foreign trade as well as secure the co-operation of all Chinese merchants abroad, ultimately furthering Chinese commercial interests. His Excellency replied fittingly, thanking those present for their cordial welcome. He concluded his remarks by inviting the party to tea the next day on board the Haichi.
Mr Chan Kiang Yu, the energetic opponent to the present administrators of the Canton-Hankow Railway, next spoke of the non-compliance, by the present administrators, with the Chinese commercial laws. He asked His Excellency's help to pacify matters, requesting His Excellency to inform Chinese merchants abroad of the effect that of the $8,000,000 which had been paid as first call on the shares, a greater portion was made up by subscription by these merchants.
His Excellency replied that as the Throne had already appointed Sir Chen Tung Liang Cheng to be Director General of the line, he no doubt understood what was best to do, and he was the proper person for him (Chan) to approach on his arrival.
On Sunday at 3 p.m. in response to the invitation of Commissioner Yang, members of the Chinese community went on board the Haichi. As the launch conveying the guests approached the representatives of the Imperial Chinese Navy, which were anchored in Kowloon Bay, a band struck up. His Excellency Yang received the guests most cordially. By the courtesy of Commodore S. K. Shen, Commanding the Northern Division of the Imperial Chinese Navy, who was with the Greenwich Naval College, England, and had been with Great Britain's Mediterranean Squadron for two years, the guests were shown over the cruiser Haichi which was preserved in a most creditable manner.
After taking tea and photographing, His Excellency addressed the party. He was glad of their presence. He hoped that in the not very distant future, China's Navy would be increased with larger and more powerful vessels than the two present, and that wherever there were Chinese merchants there would be seen the Dragon flag on the water.
The two cruisers, with His Excellency, left port this morning anchoring outside the harbour for the rest of the day. The next places of call are Manila, Saigon, Singapore, Penang, Java, and thence His Excellency and suite will proceed to Europe and America by mail steamer.
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