At the beginning of the 20th century, the Qing Empire was actively restoring its Navy, which had been destroyed during the Sino-Japanese War. Before the start of World War I, significant contracts were signed with Austrian and German shipbuilding firms. With the help of intermediaries from Arnhold, Karberg & Co, an agreement was signed with the AG Vulcan Stettin shipyard for the construction of six destroyers with a displacement of 985 tons each. In 1913, six ships were laid down to be launched in 1914; however, with the outbreak of the war, the destroyers were requisitioned by the German government and became part of the Kaiserliche Marine.