John Jordan

The military connections between China and Germany were strong, although they soured after Jiaozhou Bay and Tsingtao were seized by the Germans.

Shikai also had a close relationship with Sir John Jordan, the British minister in Peking in 1914.

Apparently, Shikai said he'd buy a retirement home close to Sir John's in England where they could be neighbours as well as friends.

Yet, despite the occasional revolt against the Qing dynasty and the protests targeted at Europeans, life for foreign residents in China was generally comfortable and relaxed in an exotic environment.