—Reply—
Peking, the 25th day of the 5th month of the 4th year of the Republic of China.
Monsieur le Ministre,
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Your Excellency's note of this day's date which I have noted.
In reply I beg to inform you that the Chinese Government hereby declares that it has given no permission to foreign nations to construct, on the coast of Fukien Province, dock-yards, coaling stations for military use, naval bases, or to set up other military establishments; nor does it entertain an intention of borrowing foreign capital for the purpose of setting up the above-mentioned establishments.
I avail, etc.,
(Signed) LOU TSENG-TSIANG.
His Excellency,
Hioki Eki,
Japanese Minister.