Background
Mr. S. K. Chen was born of Cantonese parents.
Mr. S. K. Chen was born of Cantonese parents.
Mr. Chen was in the Chinese government service since 1901, serving first as student interpreter and a few years later the Chief Secretary of the Bureau for Foreign Affairs, Shanghai. In the latter capacity, he served under more than fifteen commissioners.
Mr. Chen was holding besides the post of Chief Secretary of the Bureau for Foreign Affairs, the following concurrent positions: Advisor on Foreign Affairs to the Military and the Civil Governor of Zhejiang; Secretary for Foreign Affairs to the Commander- in-Chief of the Chinese Navy; English Secretary to the Occupation Commissioner of Shanghai and Sungkiang; Advisor to the Tariff Revision Commission.
Mr. Chen was conferred the Third Order of Chiaho in June 1919; the Second Order of Chiaho in July 1921; the Fourth Order of Paokuang Chiaho in September 1922 and the Second Order of Tashou Chiaho in March 1923. He was also conferred the Third Order of Wenfu. Mr. Chen was the wearer of the following decorations and medals: Chevalier of the Legion d’Honneur, France; Officer de Instruction Public, Franca; Officer de l’Etoile Noire, France; Cavaliere Knight of the Crown of Italy; Order of the Double Rising Sun; Official da Ordem Militar de Cristo, Portugal; Brunswick Order of Henry the Lion, Germany; L’Order des Millions d’Elephants et du Parasol Blanc, Reyaume de Luang-Prabang.
In September 1924, following the resignation of Mr. Hsu Yuan, Commissioner of Foreign Affairs and Superintendent of native Customs of Shanghai, Mr. S. K. Chen was appointed to these positions.