Ship project history: According to plan of modernization of Chinese Navy accepted in 1909, China should have three fleets: Southern, Central (East) and Northern. According to it, in late 1910 the seven-year shipbuilding program was accepted, provided building of three light cruisers: on one for each of fleet. They were built by British Armstrong (Chao Ho), Vickers (Jing Swei) and American New York SB (Fei Hung, laid down 4/5/1912, completed in 1913, but was never accepted by Chinese customer and sold in 1914 to Greece as Elli) under the unified technical project and were close on data and external appearance. As crew training was considered as a priority, it was required to equip new cruisers with artillery and boilers of various systems for maximum increase of their educational potential.
    Chao Ho was built on Elswick under project of J. Perret. High free-board hull, with forecastle and poop, without ram. Machinery was fulfilled on atypical for British naval architectures triple-shaft scheme. Turbines were delivered by Hawthorn Leslie. Under the contract low 20kts speed was required, but on trials Chao Ho made 22.257kts at 8797hp, and on 4-hrs trials in February, 1912 she has shown 22.125kts at 8622hp.
    152mm/50 guns were installed on a forecastle and poop, remaining artillery placed on main deck, except 37mm guns on platform at basis of mainmast.
    Building of Chao Ho was delayed because of unavailability of boilers, and then in connection with revolution in China. Republican government tried to sell completed ship abroad, but finally she was accepted by Chinese crew and in the end of 1912 arrived to China.

Ship protection: Protection was ensured only by protected deck with 25mm flat part (in fore end the deck had turtleback form and had 19mm thickness) and 51mm slopes and 51mm part over steering gear compartment.

Modernizations: None.

Naval service: Chao Ho 30/9/1937 was sunk at Canton by Japanese aircrafts from carriers Hosho and Ryujo.

Chao Ho 1932

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