Brief history of modern China

China has over 5,000 years of civilization. Starting with First Emperor of China (about 259 BC) or even earlier, almost all Chinese emperors had an official historian (of course with favorable bias towards the current government). With few explanations, most recorded texts (carved on bamboo until paper was invented) can be understood today as the traditional Chinese language has very minor changes until recently. Traditional Korean and Japanese adopted Chinese written language.

China’s long history indicated she seldom colonized countries even China had the power to do so. In recent history, many times China has been a victim from foreign invasions. The modern history affects our current life and many of China’s actions today.

This article is very concise for easy reading with my comments. Click the link or use Wikipedia to explore specific topics that are interesting to you.

1800

In 1800, China was the richest country on earth. The country included Tibet, Mongolia and Xinjiang with a population of about 328 million. It also accounted for about one quarter of the world output. The emperor showed the Brits that China had nothing they needed from the west. Qing (1636-1912) is the last dynasty of China and that was under Manchurian rule. 

First Opium War (1840)

I define the First Opium War as the start of China’s modern history and everyone’s definition is different.

The Brits had nothing to trade but opium they found in India. Opium killed millions of Chinese addicts. In the revenge of burning chests of opium by Chinese hero Lin Zexu, the British East India Company sent gunboats to Canton with a victory.  Brits received vast compensation and five more ports were opened.  Hong Kong was ceded to Britain.

Taiping Rebellion (1850-1864) was a civil war against Qing under Hong Xiuquan. It further weakened Qing. The rebellion was suppressed with millions killed.

Demanding more ports, the second opium was started and China lost. The emperor fled from Beijing.

During the Second Opium War (1856-1860), the French and Brits looted and set fire to the Old Summer Palace. The loots are displayed in these two countries’ museums to remind us of their crimes. China was forced to open Tianjin as a treaty port, legalized opium trade, and a good chuck of Manchuria was given to Russia.

It woke up China. China wanted reform in her military, but paid less attention to other areas such as politics, government, etc.

China did build a remarkable fleet. However, it was demolished by Japan, a country had been looked down by Chinese in her long history. It really woke up China this time. Radical reforms were started but were suppressed by Empress Dowager Cixi. Ironically, Cixi later followed some of the reforms.

The Eight-Nation Alliance suppressed the Boxer Rebellion, semi colonized China in the name of opening trade and bankrupted China. Chinese called this “century of humiliation”.

Oct., 10, 1911 Wuchang Uprising

The revolution was led by Sun Yat-Sen marking the end of Qing Dynasty and beginning of ROC (Republic of China). Sun’s interim government could not control the country which was divided by war lords. Sun gave up his power to Yuan Shikai who controlled the northern China. Yuan wanted to be an emperor. Ten years of bloody wars between the war lords followed. Sun fought successfully against these war lords. When Sun died, the leadership was passed to Chiang Kai-shek. In Oct., 1928, China was united under ROC. With the fall of Qing, Mongolia declared independent setting up a buffer zone between China and Russia.

The May Fourth Movement (1919) marked the first important protest started with students against the government allowing Japan to receive the territories in Shandong.

Rise of Chinese Communist Party (CCP)

CCP was founded in 1921 under the leadership of Mao Zedong. Chiang had purged many communist members. WW2 forced the two parties to unite to fight against the Japanese, who committed a lot of war crimes against Chinese including the Nanking Massacre.

After the war, the two parties fought against each other. Mao won with the famous Long March and drove Chiang to Taiwan. People’s Republic of China (PROC or PRC) was formed in 1949.

Mao’s poor governance (1949-1978)

Mao was a great revolutionist but a poor governor. During these years, China had major setbacks as evidenced by Big Leap Forward and Cultural Revolution. Millions starved to death and many more suffered. It marked the end of tough times in modern China. Mao is still respected by most Chinese.

Deng’s reform (1978-2008)

US played China card against Russia. Deng led the real and fruitful reform in her modern history. China took off under his guidance by turning a fishing village in Shenzhen into a special economic zone.

Hong Kong and Macau were returned to the motherland with his famous “One Country, Two Systems”.

Tiananmen protest by students was caused by the parity of benefits from the rich and the poor in general. After this, US and EU banned arms sales to China. Chinese students in US were allowed to stay resulting a mild brain drain, and later some returned home with working knowledge learned in US.  From then on, students are concentrated in their studies and citizens are concentrated on making money in this authoritative and capitalistic society.

China today (2018)

After years of unprecedented, double-digit growth, China becomes the second largest economy. She is moving from “Made in China” to “Designed in China” as described in this book.

China Xi has been a great leader. He proposed “One Belt, One Road” Initiatives. He assures China’s rise is peaceful and beneficial to the world. As of 2018, he has been keeping his promises. Hopefully China will diplomatically resolve the disputes and conflicts with her neighbors and US.
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The above is from my book "Can China Say No?". Click here for more info in Amazon.com.