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Mr. Li Chia-ao, was born at Shanghai in 1859. In his youth he studied Chinese in the typically classical school. Later he secured a position in the Kiangnan Arsenal where he was highly esteemed by his superiors for his activities in the reform of the administration. In 1886 Mr. Li went to Russia to study by way of London. Upon his arrival at Petrograd he joined a high military school. On the completion of his education, he joined the Chinese legation in Russia in the capacity of an attache, and remained at his post for nine years. After a stay of more than ten years in Russia, he returned to China. On his way back home he extensively travelled in Eastern and Western Siberia and visited the Russo-Chinese frontiers. The whole voyage lasted 109 days, during which he studied the commercial conditions and the characters of the countries. As at that time the Trans-Siberia Railway had not yet been constructed, he had to travel part of the