Who's Who in China (3rd edition)/Yao Kuo-chen

Mr. Yao Kuo-chen

姚國植字幼技

Mr. Yao Kuo-chen was born at Kuei-chih Hsien, Anhui province, in 1883. He first studied in the Provincial High College of Kiangsi which later granted to him a scholarship to study in the Imperial University, Peking. In May 1890 he was graduated from the Preparatory Department of that University. The Board of Education then awarded him the degree of Chu Jen. Prior to his obtaining the degree, he was appointed by the Bureau of Military Funds of Kwangsi as its delegate in Peking, and was recommended for the post of Expectant Second Secretary of a Board by the same Bureau for services rendered. In 1909 the Board of Education recommended him for promotion to the rank of Senior Secretary. In the same year he was assigned to the Board of Posts and Communications for service. In 1912, soon after the establishment of the Ministry of Communications, Mr. Yao held various responsible positions—Assistant Secretary and Chief of the Compilation Section and Archives Section of the General Affairs Department. In 1913 he was made Principal of the School of Communications. A year after, he functioned as Vice-Chairman of the Commission on statistics. In 1916, he was appointed acting director of Telegraphs, Posts and Navigation. After the reorganization of the Ministry in the same year, he was first appointed Councillor and then Director of the Department of Posts, holding concurrently the office of Inspector-General of Posts. Mr. Yao went to Japan in 1917 to attend the celebration commemorating the completion of the China-Japan Through Traffic arrangements, and at the same time to investigate into matters dealing with railroads, posts, telegraphs and navigation. On his return he again became Councillor. In January 1919 he was appointed concurrently to take charge of the General Affairs Department of the Ministry. In December 1919 he was appointed Vice-Minister of Communications, and also ordered to act for the Minister for sometime. In January 1920 he was awarded the Second Class Wenfu. In February ne received additional position as Chief of Bureau of Loans Ministry of Communications. In April he was given the Second Class Tashou Paokuang Chiaho. In July 1920, subsequent to the Chihli-Anfu conflict resulting in the overthrow of the Anfu Administration, he was relieved of the Vice-Ministership. Subsequently order was issued for his arrest and he fled to the Japanese Legation to stay. In November 1922 he escaped from Peking to Tientsin. In the spring of 1924 he was pardoned.