History as Mirror: Looking at Today's China (UGCP1001 Module II)

Felicia Audrey N. - UGCP1001 - Module II - History as Mirror: Looking at Today’s China from the Past History as Mirror: Looking at Today’s China from the Past SEGMENT 1: INTRODUCTION Background to China Rising: A remarkable phenomenon referring to China’s development China grew from an is...

Felicia Audrey N. - UGCP1001 - Module II - History as Mirror: Looking at Today’s China from the Past History as Mirror: Looking at Today’s China from the Past SEGMENT 1: INTRODUCTION Background to China Rising: A remarkable phenomenon referring to China’s development China grew from an isolated poor economy to a dominating player globally, and from a collectivized to a multi-level society China is now fully integrated into the international economic system China’s current positions: ○ 2nd largest economic entity in the world, leading in manufacturing and trade ○ Dominating influence in the United Nations and other global conventions ○ Strong military capacity on land, in air, and in water ○ Leading player in space technology, nuclear engineering, and AI development Causes of China Rising: End of the Maoist era: ○ Chairman Mao Zedong passed in 1976 ○ The ‘Gang of Four’ was arrested afterwards Deng Xiaoping’s leadership: ○ Deng Xiaoping’s pragmatism led to the policy of ‘re-opening’ and introducing market forces/capitalist practices ○ Led to China’s big economic leap Importance of Chinese history: Some scholars argue that history is no longer important, especially after the ‘Great Cultural Revolution’ of the 1960s and 70s However, the past is still evident, especially in the mind of the ruling elite History is a useful reference and guiding force in policy-making processes According to Professor Rana Mitter: “China’s modern philosophy and strategic objectives are heavily influenced by its history.” Objectives of Module II: Gain a historical viewpoint to better understand China today Discover historical trends and epochal events in China’s history Learn how some historical events resonate in present-day China, and vice versa SEGMENT 2: HISTORICAL EVENTS THAT SHAPE CHINA TODAY The Qin Unification (221 BC): Prior to the unification: 1  Felicia Audrey N. - UGCP1001 - Module II - History as Mirror: Looking at Today’s China from the Past ○ Earliest historical records can be traced back to “The Book of History” by which editorship was credited to Confucius ○ Chinese history could go back 2000 years prior to written records ○ China began as tribal communities which turned into territorial states with their own languages, religions, administrative statements, and more ○ In 1600 BC, Cheng Tang from the Shang state in the Yellow River Valley in North China established himself as a supreme leader ○ Cheng Tang defeated neighboring states, including its predecessor, Xia ○ Led to the Shang dynasty, which lasted more than 500 years ○ In 1100 BC, the Zhou Dynasty challenged and replaced the Shang dynasty, which lasted more than 800 years How the unification occurred: ○ In 221 BC, the Qin (a state in Northwestern China), under King Ying Zheng, defeated all 6 rivaling states thus uniting China ○ The King named himself the ‘First Emperor’ and aimed to make the Qin empire last for more than 10000 years ○ While the empire collapsed, their system was succeeded ○ The Qin Dynasty lasted very short (only 15 years) yet had one of the biggest political influences ○ States were replaced by ‘Commanderies’ and ‘Counties’ with officials approved by central government Effects of the Qin unification: ○ Enabled the Chinese people to think of themselves as a single kingdom → previously, people viewed things from a territorial perspective ○ Enhanced central authority and restricted regional/local power → continued for more than 2000 years from the Han to the Qing dynasty ○ Laid the foundation for a sovereign China ○ Facilitated cross-regional transportation through the building of the Great Wall and expansive road systems → also helped distinguish China from other states Standardization measures: ○ Helped to transition from territorial affiliation to national belonging ○ Included the standardization of writing script, currency, weights and measures, and axle length for carriage and vehicles The unification formed a common identity of China for the Chinese people The Silk Road: Development: ○ Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 220) ruled over China from Chang’An (now Xian) and expanded its border to the Tarim Basin (now Xinjiang) ○ Done through expeditions led by Xhang Qian and Ban Chao ○ Trade routes known as the Silk Road developed, linking China with Central Asia, India, the Middle East, Egypt, and Europe ○ Traders, envoys and missionaries from the West to reach Loulan, Dunhuang, and eventually Chang’An 2  Felicia Audrey N. - UGCP1001 - Module II - History as Mirror: Looking at Today’s China from the Past ○ Euro-Asian traders and Chinese merchants bartered items (e.g: precious stones, gold, jade, jewelry, horses, gunpowder, and silk) Silk was heavily sought for by the wealthy class in Europe and Central Asia The route led to cross-cultural exchange and political interactions Created commercial/cultural towns and religious enclaves along the route Downfall and change: ○ After the 13th century, coastal China (Yangzi delta) development and ship-building technology led to the downfall of the Silk Road ○ Maritime trade rose in the Song and Ming dynasties (the Maritime Silk Road) Recent adaptations: ○ Frequently depicted in oral history, historical drama, and literature ○ In 2013, it became the blueprint of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) → initiated by Xi Jinping to build economic alliances between China, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands Belt and Road Initiative: ○ A major strategic development that will change world order in the 21st century ○ Eventually, over 70 countries in China’s Silk Road history became a part of BRI ○ Main objective is to promote cross-national cooperation based on 5 priorities ○ #1: Policy coordination → intergovernmental cooperation and exchange ○ #2: Facilitate connectivity → infrastructure improvement ○ #3: Unimpeded trade → regional economic integration through reducing barriers ○ #4: Financial integration → financial institutions for coordination and policy ○ #5: People-to-people bonds → cultural and academic exchange Tang Cosmopolitanism: After the Han, in AD 581, China was reunified by General Yang Jian The Sui Dynasty was concurrently established The Sui reign was also short-lived, soon replaced by Li Yuan of the Tang Dynasty The Tang Dynasty ruled China for almost 3 centuries (AD 618 - 907) China expanded its border westward to include Xinjiang and Tibet China grew as a center of art, literature, philosophy and religion Key elements: ○ The open-door policy and cosmopolitan environment encouraged Sino-foreign trade and cultural exchanges ○ Chang’An and Loyang were the two imperial capitals of the dynasty ○ The above cities have a variety of cultures, introducing new habits to the Chinese (e.g: new musical instruments, imported fruits, etc) and attracting migrants ○ Living style and cultural habits also attracted scholars and visitors ○ Welcomed all religions (e.g: Buddhism, Manicheism, Zoroastrianism, NEstorian Christianity, Islam, etc) The story of A-Lo-Pen: ○ He was a Syrian missionary of Nestorian Christianity beliefs ○ He arrived in Chang’An (AD 781) 3  Felicia Audrey N. - UGCP1001 - Module II - History as Mirror: Looking at Today’s China from the Past ○ Well-received by high-ranking officials of the court and was allowed to establish a church for worship and evangelization ○ Managed to convert some high-ranking officials (e.g: Guo Ziyi) ○ Showed the Tang Dynasty’s positive attitude to diversity The story of Xuan Zang/Tang Sanzang: ○ Traveled to India in a religious pilgrimage ○ Stayed in India for 17 years to learn Sanskrit and study Buddhist doctrines ○ Upon returning to Chang’An, he embarked on a large projects to translate Buddhist sutras from Sanskrit into Chinese ○ Expanded the teachings of Early Buddhism and preserved the history and spread of the religion in India ○ Xuan Zang turned Buddhism into a native faith and transformed Tang China into a sacred land of Buddhism Rising status of women: ○ Tang women were robust and some became powerful political leaders (e.g: Empress Wu) ○ High status of women caused by non-Han nomadic traditions in North China ○ According to Professor Lewis: “They had brought with them the greater equality of men and women that characterized nomadic societies.” ○ Buddhism and Daoism gave opportunities for women roles outside family (i.e: education and independence) The Confucian Civil Service Examination: Took place in late imperial China Education is a very important element of Chinese society (e.g: Gaokao) A news report from Henan displayed how a village celebrated the success of 3 village girls receiving offers from Tsinghua University The reliance on public examinations as a testing tool has a deep-rooted tradition in imperial China Exam and learning system: ○ Known as ke ju in Chinese ○ Originated in the Sui Dynasty (AD 581-618) before the Tang as a way to recruit government official based on knowledge on Confucian classics and literature ○ This system became so dominant in the Song and Ming dynasties ○ All schools would prepare students for three-tiered examinations (local, provincial, and court) with the focus on Confucian learning ○ Song Neo-Confucian scholar Zhu Xi edited the Confucian Four Books with Commentaries (Analects, Book of Mencius, Great Learning, and Doctrine of the Mean) ○ The above textbooks became main textbooks for the civil service examination ○ In 1905, the ke ju system was abolished by the Qing government Confucian classics became core educational materials the Tang Dynasty onwards Confucian learning was elevated to state orthodoxy and state ideology 4  Felicia Audrey N. - UGCP1001 - Module II - History as Mirror: Looking at Today’s China from the Past A class of Confucian literati signified by the possession of a civil service exam degree was formed The examination was open to all scholars from all backgrounds The system encouraged participatory equality and meritocracy Had a profound influence one education development in East Asia, as analogous structures formed in Japan, South Korea, Ryukyu, and Vietnam Some scholars suggested that the system influenced the recruitment and promotion mechanisms in Britain The Century of Humiliation: Described the period of intervention and subjugation of the Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China by Western powers and Japan Took place from the Opium War (AD 1839-1842) to the PRC’s founding (AD 1949) This period is known as bainian guochi China suffered serious military defeats and economic encroachments Background of the Qing dynasty: ○ Established in 1644 by Manchu in Northeast China ○ A strong military empire in the first 150 years under Emperor Kangxi, Emperor Yongzheng and Emperor Qianlong (the high Qing period) ○ The high Qing period saw the expansion of China’s borders, the rise of economic output, and the increase of food production ○ Changes were seen after Renaissance and Enlightenment ○ Europe’s technological and industrial reforms saw a rapid growth in their economy ○ European countries expanded territorial control to the lucrative ‘China Market’ ○ After controlling India and Southeast Asia, the British came to China at the end of the 18th century Overtake of British colonies: ○ In 1793, King George III sent a delegation led by Lord Macartney to China to ask for better diplomatic and trade privileges ○ They had an audience with Emperor Qianlong without the ‘koutou’ ritual ○ Emperor Qianlong’s response was: “We set no value on strange or ingenious objects and have no use for your country’s manufacture.” ○ China was not aware of the changes and the coming challenges of the West First war of China and Great Britain: ○ Took place in the late 1830s over trade privileges and the sales/smuggling of opium in China ○ In 1839, the war broke out in Guangdong ○ Military conflict resulted in China’s defeat ○ In 1842, the war ended through the signing of the Treaty of Nanjing aboard the HMS Cornwallis ○ As a result, China has to pay large indemnity, open 5 treaty-ports, and cede the island of Hong Kong to the British 5  Felicia Audrey N. - UGCP1001 - Module II - History as Mirror: Looking at Today’s China from the Past China also suffered through the 2nd Anglo-Chinese War (1856-60), a war with France (1884-85), and most humiliatingly, the first Sino-Japanese War (referred to as jiawu zhanzheng, 1894-95) The wars also caused China to lose control over Taiwan and Manchuria The act of Chinese people: ○ The national humiliation led to the weakening of the nation and the loss of national pride ○ In 1900, China engaged in an anti-foreign campaign led by a radical group known as ‘The Boxers’ → backed by conservative officials ○ The Boxers turned violent to foreign missionaries, killing >200 missionaries and 32000 Chinese Christians Alliance of attack on China: ○ Occurred due to The Boxer Protocol ○ 8 countries (Britain, Russia, Japan, France, Germany, the US, Italy, and Austria-Hungary) formed a military alliance against China ○ 3 other European countries (the Netherlands, Belgium, and Spain) also took independent actions ○ They sent troops to ransack the capital of Beijing ○ The royal family had to take refuge in the distant Xian ○ In 1901, the conflict reached settlement through paying large indemnities and giving up control over costumes, mining, and railroad rights ○ China was said to be undergoing a ‘partition’ and was referred to as ‘the sick man of East Asia’ The happenings field the fire of the anti-Manchu revolution and end the Qing Dynasty in 1911 The Republican period: ○ Before nationalists led by Chiang Kaishek retreated to Taiwan, and the birth of PRC under communist leaders ○ China was plagued by revolts and revolutions ○ All people moved for the idea of anti-foreignism ○ People wanted to be ‘redeeming China after a century of national humiliation’ The end of national humiliation = the rise of communist China SEGMENT 3: CONCLUSIONS Chinese people still utilize the past for guidance, inspiration, and moral lessons Historical analogism plays an important role in intellectual and political life, as seen through major policy decisions Past events have become a motivating force for China’s diligent pursuit for wealth and power in the modern world 6