Who's Who in China (3rd edition)/Hsiang Hsiang

Mr. Hsiang Hsiang

項數字徽座

(Witson H. Shan)

Mr. Shan was born at Jui-an Hsien, Chekiang province, in 1880. He was a Hsiu Ts'ai or Licentiate through competitive examinations in the Ching Dynasty. Having become a Licentiate, Mr. Shan was given an appointment by the Hsueh Pu, then Board of Education, as an assistant compiler in the Translation and Compilation Office. After a few year's work in that office, he was sent to America where he studied Political Economy at Columbia University. He graduated from that University with the degree of M. A. Upon his return to China, Mr. Shan attended the Imperial Examination for returned students and obtained the degree of Han Lin or Ph. D. Subsequently he was appointed a member of the Councillors' Hall of the Board of Communications. Many a time Mr. Shan was assistant examiner or examiner of the Imper al Examination either for returned students, or for judicial officials or for high civil officials. Subsequent to the establishment of the Republic, Mr. Shan joined the Ministry of Finance and from the very beginning he was a Councillor of the Ministry. During the following years Mr. Shan held many important positions among which were: Acting Superintendent of the Bank of China; Member of the Commission to Discuss Internal Affairs; Member of the Currency Reform Commission; Executive Member of the Financial Discussion Commission; Member of the Commission for the Examination of High Civil Officials; Co-Director of the Maritime Tariff Reform Commission; Director of Income Tax Bureau; Director of the Cigarette Tax Bureau; etc. In September 1919 Mr. Shan was awarded the Second Order of Chilaho and in February 1921 the Second Order of Tashou Chiaho. In Februry 1922 he was appointed a Councillor to the Central Salt Administration. In July 1922 he was made a member of the National Finance Comm'ssion. In October 1922 he resigned the Second Order of Tashou Paokuang Chiaho. In December 1922 Mr. Shan was ordered to be acting Vice-Minister of Finance with the concurrent posts of Chief Director of the Central Salt Administration and Chief Inspector of the Salt Revenue. In Jauary 1923 he was given the First Order of Tashou Chiaho and about the same time he was relieved of the acting post. In October 1923 Mr. Shan was appointed Vice-Minister of Finance which position he is still holding.