Surviving Troubled Times on the Borders of China: Sheng Shicai as a Successful Warlord in Xinjiang, 1931–34

Author(s):  
Yuan Zhi Ou

Abstract Ethnicity, religion, and geopolitics affect historians’ interpretations of the history of Xinjiang, a very chaotic frontier region of China that did not come fully under the control of the People’s Republic of China until recent decades. The case of Sheng Shicai, an early Republican Era Chinese military officer, shows how professional training and, most importantly, the ability to capitalize on emerging opportunities contributed to his military success in Xinjiang from 1931 to 1934. This paper analyzes the Republic of China’s government documents, Sheng and his acquaintances’ memoirs, newspaper articles, and other sources to examine how Sheng applied his military training and employed regional and foreign military forces to win battles in northern Xinjiang. Professional military training helped officers to utilize their resources efficiently and take advantage of their geopolitical situations. Amid numerous talented Chinese military officers, Sheng rose in rank and successfully secured Xinjiang as a part of the Republic of China even when Xinjiang’s geopolitics seemed extremely challenging. This study highlights the value of Sheng’s military prowess, something that the literature has not previously appreciated.

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 13
Author(s):  
Bochong Zhao ◽  
Kehui Deng

Dyeing & Weaving Weekly (1935-1941) is a scientific and technological periodical which has been published for a long time and has never been interrupted in the field of textile in modern China. The journal publishes a large number of the latest achievements in textile science and technology, and is an important historical material and typical case for the study of modern science and technology dissemination. Rich in content, Dyeing & Weaving Weekly focuses on solving practical problems in the textile industry and guiding the direction of scientific research, which not only promotes the dissemination of textile science and technology but also contributes to the development of the textile industry. Therefore, from the perspective of science and technology communication and the history of newspapers and periodicals, this paper examines the practice and communication strategies of Dyeing & Textile Weekly, in order to prove that Dyeing & Textile Weekly has a positive impact on science and technology communication in modern China, and also provides experience reference for the development of contemporary science and technology periodicals in China, which has certain reference significance.


2021 ◽  
Vol 43 (3) ◽  
pp. 515-525
Author(s):  
Andrzej Demiańczuk

In recent decades, there was a notable surge of interest in the history of the Republic of China (1912–1949). New Life Movement (Xin shenghuo yundong) was one of the most important en-deavours undertaken during the so-called Nanjing Decade (1927–1937) — a period of authoritarian rule of Guomindang (National Party), after the triumph of the Northern Expedition and before the outbreak of the Second Sino-Japanese War. Inaugurated in 1934, this movement sought to revive Confucian virtues and create better society through the promotion of proper behaviour (especially etiquette and hygiene). Virtues, whose realisation in daily life was stated as the goal of the Move-ment, were li — propriety, yi — right action, lian — integrity, and chi — a sense of shame. Later, these goals were expanded to include promotion of militarisation (junshihua), aesthetic uplifting (yishuhua), and improving the production (shengchanhua) in peopleʼs lifestyles. Although the New Life Movement was initiated by Chiang Kai-shek on 19 February 1934 in Nanchang, in many respects it was a continuation of previous policies. To realise the New Life Movement, the Society for the Promotion of the New Life Movement (Xin shenghuo yundong cujin hui) was founded in 1934. Members of different factions in Guomindang participated in its activities. After the first two years, the New Life Movement disappeared from the spotlight, but remained active at least until 1948. During the war, the main task of the movement was participation in war efforts and, after the conflict ended, in post-war recovery. In the end, the New Life Movement failed in realisation of its stated goals. Nevertheless, it seems that its activities were still beneficial for Guomindang’s government. This article presents an outline of history and origins of the New Life Movement, as well as describe its goals and methods. In the end, there will be an evaluation of this important and controversial movement and its place in the history of Guomindang and China.


Author(s):  
Ulambayar Denzenlkham

This article discusses Mongolia’s 15 years of diplomatic efforts to join the United Nations, the main factors that influenced it, and the changing policies and positions of the Soviet Union, the Kuomintang of China, the United States, and other great powers. Although the Mongolian People’s Republic was able to join the United Nations in 1946, it was influenced by the Soviet Union’s communist position. Since 1946, Chiang Kai-shek’s Chinese policy and position have been a major obstacle. The history of the Republic of China, which existed on the mainland between 1912 and 1949, was the history of the struggle for power between the warlords, the history of the struggle between the Kuomintang and the Communists. In the nearly 40 years since the founding of the Republic of China in 1912, neither the warlords nor the Kuomintang have been able to exercise their sovereignty on the mainland, but they are keen to see Outer Mongolia as part of their territory. The Kuomintang was expelled from the mainland in 1949, shortly after 1946. During the Korean War, initiated by Kim Il-sung, Joseph Stalin and Mao Zedong, Mongolia stood firmly behind North Korea, providing both moral and material support. It has not been mentioned anywhere that this resulted in Mongolia’s efforts at the UN being postponed for many years. When Communist China entered the Korean War, the Kuomintang, which fully supported the US-led UN military operation (peacekeeping), not only continuously provoked at the Security Council of the United Nations, but also presented false documents about the MPR - described as “a Chinese territory seized by the Soviet Union” - sending troops to North Korea.The United States, which has recognized the status quo of the Mongolian People’s Republic, has made it clear that it has played an important role in the country’s admission to the United Nations. Thus Mongolia’s attempt finally succeeded and it became the 101st state to join the United Nations. As a consequence, Mongolia’s independence has been approved by a recognize of Western powers and it began to emerge out of its isolation, participate in decision of global issues, and cooperate with the international community. However, not only did this opportunity not be fully exploited, but due to the Cold War, Mongolia became a hotbed of ideological competition between the socialist and capitalist systems at the United Nations, the speakers’ rostrum Nevetheless,Post-Cold War, a whole new era of cooperation between Mongolia and the United Nations began.


2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shidong Pei ◽  
Qihang Wang

The history of the Republic of China is a very important history in the modern history of our country. During this period, great changes took place in China and the Revolution of 1911 abolished monarchy; then the Communist Party of China led the Chinese people in the struggle for national liberation and established the People’s Republic of China. Therefore, studying the history of the Republic of China is an inevitable requirement for historical development. To this end, this article starts with exploring the research connotation and value of the history of the Republic of China, comprehensively collects archival historical data, insists on using the historical materialist methodology to conduct research on the history of the Republic of China, and discriminates historical materials objectively and fairly. Three aspects have been studied and discussed.


2015 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 253-257 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikolay Nichev ◽  
Elitsa Petrova

Abstract The specific of the officer’s military management activities lies in its functional responsibilities. The obligations and requirements determine them. The specifics of the military management activities of logistics officer are designated by the statute of military service in the Armed Forces of the Republic of Bulgaria. This article represents the proficiency of the future logistics officers at Vasil Levski National Military University, which is achieved through training in two specialties: military training in “Organization and management of tactical units for logistics” and civil training in “Business Logistics”. In the both, cadets acquire the educational and qualification degree “Bachelor”.


2021 ◽  
pp. 120
Author(s):  
Natalya Mamaeva

In connection with the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Russian-Chinese Treaty on Good Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation (July 16, 2001), interest in the history of Russian-Chinese relations has grown even more. The author focuses on the development of bilateral Russian / Soviet — Chinese relations as one of the main directions of the eastern policy of Soviet Russia. The author notes the presence of two main channels of their formation. On the one hand, in the diplomatic and legal plane, at the level of state institutions, on the other hand, through the sphere of interaction of the Comintern, the RCP (b) / VKP (b), representatives of the diplomatic corps in China — with parties and public organizations of the Republic of China. Special attention is paid to identifying the main tasks that the participants in the process of interstate rapprochement set themselves. In the formation of the eastern direction of the USSR foreign policy, the importance of interaction between the Soviet state and China was taken into account to strengthen the positions of the RSFSR / USSR in the international arena in a difficult time for Russia of “international isolation”, the Civil War, foreign intervention, and the establishment of NEP. The Chinese side highly appreciated the new principles of the USSR's foreign policy. This is evidenced by the signing by both parties on May 31, 1924 of the Agreement on General Principles for the Settlement of Issues between the USSR and the Republic of China. At the same time, during the 1910s — 1920s. The Chinese side at times demonstrated inconsistency, elements of legal nihilism, participation in anti-Soviet provocations in exchange for concessions from the powers in the struggle to abolish “unequal treaties”. There were also acute and controversial problems associated with the Chinese Eastern Railway and Mongolia. Despite some negatives in relations between the RSFSR / USSR and the Republic of China, in general, the relations of the parties were characterized by a mutual desire for rapprochement at the state level, more inherent in the Soviet Union. This text was prepared within the framework of the project of the Institute of Russian History of the Russian Academy of Sciences on the creation of a multivolume academic history of Russia. Published for approbation purposes.


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