Kung Chao-Yuan

• In 1888 he was Shanghai Custom Taotai responsible for the public investment in the Huahsin Spinning and Weaving Company in Shanghai.
• From 1893 to 1896 he was sent by Li Hongzhang as ambassador to the Court of St James's and was concurrently accredited in Rome.
• In London he trapped Sun Yat-sen in his legation, but had to release him under British pressure.
• In 1896 he left London already seriously ill.