Monday, 20 September

In the morning the Ambassador of Afghanistan, Sultan Ahmed Khan, visited me and talked about the many similarities between Chinese and Afghanistan cultural practices, especially regarding “filial piety”. He said several years ago his mother passed away and he had a substantial amount of money put in the disposal of his mother. After his mother died, his father used up a portion of the money and wrote to him, and asked him how to handle the rest. After receiving the letter, he cried. He thought that there was no need for his father to ask for permission to use his money. He then sent a reply letter to his father saying he should not do that because everything that belonged to sons came from their parents, let alone money. This concept is the same as China’s filial piety. He is very enthusiastic about the exchange of diplomatic relations with China. He asked me to send him a letter, he would propose the idea to the Afghanistan Government.

In the afternoon, the newly appointed British Minister, Counsellor Balfour visited me.  He said he was transferred here from Portugal and he was very friendly with Frank W.Chinglun Lee (李錦綸)[1].

[1]Frank W.Chinglun Lee (1884-1956) was born in New York. He received his education at Chicago and New York Universities. He was a renowned diplomat and teacher.