Chinese Customs Launches
1 January 1923, the Admiralty considered a Chinese request for one or two vessels for use by Chinese customs. It was understood that the proposed vessels would be of the sloop or minesweeper type and would be employed purely on surveying and preventive work in connection with the Chinese Maritime Customs Service.
On 31 January 1922, the British Ambassador to the US wrote to the US Secretary of State requesting US views on the proposed sale by the British Admiralty of two vessels for the use of the Chinese Maritime Customs Service. The Secretary of State replied that the Government of the US would be prepared to acquiesce to the sale provided the other signatories of the WNT also agreed. However the sale was objected to by Japan, who would only agree if the vessels were rendered incapable of conversion into warships.