Background
Mr. Li was born in Hefei, Anhui, China, in 1881.
Mr. Li was born in Hefei, Anhui, China, in 1881.
Li W. H. was made an assistant chamberlain commanding the Palace guard in 1901. Later, he resumed his office as a senior councillor of the board of agriculture, works and commerce. Between 1910 and 1912 Mr. Li served as a Chinese Minister to Belgium, and rendered financial assistance to the Chinese students studying in Belgium during the 1911 Revolution when the government allowance was discontinued. In 1914 he became a member of the advisory council of the President.
Since 1924, he lived in retirement in Shanghai, taking special interest in the China Merchants Steam Navigation Company, which was established by his grandfather and of which he was a chairman of the board of directors for many years. Mr. Li was also connected at different times with a number of other industrial enterprises in Shanghai. Due to complications which developed owing to his attempt to negotiate a loan of ¥30,000,000 for the Company with a foreign realty concern in Shanghai in 1932, he was relieved of all his connections with the Company by an order of the Government.
Mr. Li was the eldest grandson of Marquis Li Hungchang.