China - Republic. CHINA/BELGIUM: AE plaque (138.7g), ND (1935), 83x61mm bronze plaque of the Benedictine Abbey of St. André in Bruges commemorating their Missionary work in China by Salu Fils for J. Fonson, Brussels, bust left of King Albert I left with legend in Chinese characters to right and left translated as "Portrait of Albert" and "Former King of Belgium", above a religious dedication in facsimile of the Kings handwriting, with a view of the Abbey at the bottom, uniface, a few light reverse scratches, J.FONSON on edge, Unc. St. Andrés Priory began missionary work in China in 1928, and were expelled in 1953. The Chinese text relates to the ordination in 1935 of the former Chinese diplomat Lou Tseng-Tsiang (1871-1949), who then took the name of Father Pierre-Célestin.
