In 1875 Shen Baozhen sent thirty Chinese students, from the training school attached to the Foochow Arsenal to study shipbuilding and navigation in Europe. In 1876, Chen Jitong was selected to go to Europe and he wrote a book on his impressions after his return to China the following year. He subsequently served on a number of important positions in the Qing foreign service.
In 1875, Shen Baozhen sent thirty Chinese students from the Foochow Arsenal's training school to study shipbuilding and navigation in Europe. In 1876, Chen Jitong was chosen for a European journey and penned a book about his experiences after returning to China the following year. He later held several key positions within the Qing foreign service.