In 1897, the erstwhile Hongkong barrister, Mr. Ng Choy, became His Excellency Wu Ting-fang, on appointment as Chinese Minister to Washington, with duties extending also to Spain and Peru. A large company, including all the leading officials and residents of the Colony, gathered at a banquet given, in honour of the newly-appointed Minister, by the Chinese community in March that year.
From Hongkong, Mr. Ng Choy travelled first to Shanghai, and after formally entering the Chinese service became celebrated under the name of Wu Ting-fang, which he assumed on becoming legal adviser and foreign interpreter to His Excellency Li Hung-chang, another distinguished diplomat of Cathay.
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When a young Chinese lad named Ng Choy left St. Paul's College many years ago to seek fame and fortune in the outside world, a brilliant future was forecasted for him. He had proved a keen scholar, and with his mind set on the law, he left for London to pursue his legal studies. The optimistic forecasts concerning him came true.
How he became a Barrister-at-Law, acting Magistrate in the Hongkong Courts and unofficial member of the Legislative Council has been told in these columns before. (see 14/2/34). Since he was one of Hongkong's most distinguished sons, it would be as well, perhaps, to give his career more fully.
The brilliance of Ng Choy inevitably came to the notice of the Imperial Government in Peking, and when the post of Chinese Minister Plenipotentiary and Envoy Extraordinary to America, Spain and Peru became vacant, it was offered to him. Choy accepted the post and from that time onwards was known as His Excellency, Mr. Wu Ting-Fang. Before leaving for America, Wu came to Hongkong to say farewell to his many friends. A grand Farewell Banquet was held in the City Hall and attended by all the leading residents, Chinese and European.
In proposing the toast of the guest of honour, Mr. Ho Amei gave the following brief sketch of the new Minister's career:- Appointment in the Hongkong Government Service, 1861; left for England in March, 1874; called to the Bar, Lincoln's Inn, January 31, 1877; returned to Hongkong in the same year; admitted to practice in Supreme Court, May 18, 1877; appointed member of the Legislative Council, February 26, 1880, and acting Magistrate, May 3, 1880.
After resigning his Government post, Wu Ting-fang left for the North and became Secretary and Legal Adviser to Viceroy Li and afterwards Chief Director of Railways at Tientsin and Director of the Tientsin University.
In 1895, he went to Japan with Viceroy Li to conclude the Treaty of Peace, and when Li became special Ambassador to Russia, Wu assisted the new Viceroy in arranging Commercial Agreements.
Then came the appointment to Washington in 1896. For seven years, Wu Ting Fang held this important diplomatic post with great credit. When he returned to China in 1903, he became Vice-President of the Board of Commerce and Commissioner for the Revision of Treaties. Later, in the same year, he became Vice-President of the Board of Foreign Affairs.
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In 1897, the erstwhile Hongkong barrister, Mr. Ng Choy, became His Excellency Wu Ting-fang, on appointment as Chinese Minister to Washing- ton, with duties extending also to Spain and Peru. A large company, including all the leading officials and residents of the Colony, gathered at a banquet given, in honour of the newly-appointed Minister, by the Chinese community in March that year.
From Hongkong, Mr. Ng Choy travelled first to Shanghai, and after formally entering the Chinese service became cèlebrated under the name of Wu Ting-fang, which he assumed on becoming legal adviser and foreign interpreter to His Excellency Li Hung-chang, another distinguished diplomat of Cathay.
1117
When a young Chinese lad named Ng Choy left St. Paul's College many years ago to seek fame and fortune in the outside world, a brilliant future was forecasted for him. He had proved a keen scholer, and with his mind set on the law, he left for London to pursue his legal studies. The optimistic forecasts concerning him came true.
How he became a Barrister-at-Law, asting Magistrate in the Hongkong. Courts and unofficial member of the Legislative Council has been told in these columns before. (see 14/2/34). Since he was one of Hongkong's most distinguished sons, it would be as well, perhaps, to give his career, more fully.
The brilliance of Ng Choy inevitably osme to the notice of the Imperial Government in Peking, and when the post of Chinese Ministersrul Plenipotentiary and Envoy Extraordinary to America, Spain and Peru/5 became vacant, it was offered to him.. Choy accepted the post and from that time onwards was known as His Excellency, Mr. Wu Ting-Fang • Before leaving for America, Wu came to Honghong to say farewell to Mar his many friends. A grand Farewell Banquet'was held in the City Hallymon and attended by all the leading residents Chinese and European.
In proposing the toast of the guest of honour, Mr. Ho Amei gave the following brief sketch of the new Minister's career:- Appointment in the Hongkong Government Service, 1861; left for England in March, 1874; called to the Bar, Lincoln's Inn, January 31, 1877; returned to Hongkong in the same year; admitted to practice in Supreme Court, May 18, 1877; appointed member of the Legislative Council, February 26, 1880, and acting Magistrate, May 3, 1880.
After resigning his Government post, Wu Ting-fang left for the North and became Secretary and Legal Adviser to Viceroy Li and afterwards Chief Director of Railways at Tientsinand Director of the Tientsin University.
In 1895, he went to Japan with Viceroy Li to conclude the Treaty of Peace, and when Li became special Ambassador to Russia, Wu assisted the new Viceroy in arranging, Commercial Agreements,
Then came the appointment to Washington in 1896, For seven years, Wu Ting Fang held this important diplomatic post with great credit. When he returned to China in 1903, he became Vice-President of the Board of Commerce and Commissioner for the Revision: of Treaties. Later, in thesame year, he became Vice-President of the Board of Foreign Affairs.
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