The looking new, substantial building to be used as the new offices of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, which was formally opened on March 18 a foreign-style structure containing three floors. Is is called the Yishiting or the Discussion Hall and is situated on the site of the Temple of the Queen of Heaven at the corner of the North Soochow and North Honan Roads. the opening ceremony was held on the mid floor; on the left were the reception rooms for the officials and gentry, and on the right, other guests were accommodated.
Officials mustered in force.
Amongst them, we may note Mr. Yang Tcheng, Special Envoy of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Ma Yung-hsien, representing Field Marshal Feng Kuo-chang, Colonel Chao Lien-huang, representing General Yang Shan-teh, Mr. Shen Er-chang, delegate from H. E, the Governor of Kiangsu, Mr. Chow Ching-yung, delegate from the Provincial Finance Commissioner, Mr, Shen Pao-chang, Prefect of Shanghai and the magistrates of the Mixed Courts. The mercantile community was, of course, fully represented, and proportion of other classes ws im evidence thanks to the ideal weather. There were about twenty foreign guests, including the Consuls-General of the principal treaty Powers. At 3 p.m. the guests were seated and three bows were exchanged.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.