Xian Incident – How would today’s China be without Xian Incident 70 years ago?
Recent Chinese history will have to be re-written without Xian Incident which took place on December 12, 1936. I am a Hong Kong Chinese. In memory of the 70th anniversary of this most critical event in contemporary Chinese history, I have summarized Xian Incident in this article.
Are you planning to visit China? If yes, please do include Xian on your itinerary. When you are in Xian, make sure to visit Huaqing Chi (Huaqing Hot Spring). This is the place where two young troop leaders captured their Commander-In-Chief and forced him to compromise.
Xian Incident by nature is a military exhortation. It is the first and only event of the same nature in Chinese history.
It made the name of Xian appeared on international news headlines and drew the entire world’s attention in December 1936.
Key Characters
Zhang Xue Liang and Yang Hu Cheng initiated the military exhortation during the 10-year civil war.
When you visit Huaqing Chi in Xian, your final destination must be Suite Wujian (五間廰 also known as Five Room Hall). It was the place where Xian Incident took place. Now it is like a mini museum. You can see the holes left on the walls by bullet shots during the gun battle. You can also see the window through which Generalissimo Chiang Kai Shek escaped up to the Li Mountain.
There you can also see the first-hand information in texts and photos, newspaper clippings etc.
Take a walk at Suite Wujiang, you’ll feel like witnessing the Xian Incident. If you would like to take a 45-minute walk, you will reach Li Mountain. A Military Exhortation Pavilion was built at where Chiang was captured.
When and How Did It Happen?
It started on the chilly morning at 4am, December 12, 1936 in Suite Wujian of Huaqing Chi. Chiang Kai Shek was woken by fire shots. He sensed himself in danger and escaped out of the window on bare feet. Zhang’s troop felt the warmth in Chiang’s bed and was sure he was somewhere nearby.
They did a thorough search on Li Mountain. Generalissimo Chiang was captured alive around 7.30am. He was found in his pajamas, cold and shoeless in a small cave. During the process, he shouted at the soldier “I am your Commander-in-Chief”. The soldier saluted and replied “but you are also our hostage”.
A press conference was held at 11.30am. Zhang and Yang announced the capturing of their Commander-in-Chief. At the same time, they told the public why they did it.
Background
In the early thirties, China was in civil war between Kuomintang (KMT, lead by Chiang Kai Shek) and Chinese Communist Party (CCP, lead by Mao Zedong). At the same time, they were facing Japanese invasion.
Chiang Kai Shek’s national policy was “solving external problem must come after solving internal problem”. That said before defending China against Japanese, he must defeat the CCP first.
The two young Northeast Troop leaders Zhang and Yang had to executive Chiang’s policy by order. Somehow Chiang sensed something off track. He flew to Xian in December 4, 1936 and stayed at Suite Wujian of Huaqing Chi. He was aiming to force Zhang and Yang to execute his orders.
Xian Incident happened one week after Zhang kept crying and begging Chiang to change his policy.
Effect
Zhang and Yang announced their proposal to reform the Nanjing ROC Government. At the same time, they called upon the CCP to send their representatives to Xian. Negotiation went on between CCP and KMT to determine the fate of Chiang and China. Of course Chiang’s wife Soong May Ling played an important role.
After all, Chiang committed stop suppressing the CCP. He agreed to form a united front against Japanese. He was then released on December 25, 1936.
For the first time, two Chinese names appeared on the list of Time’s Man of the Year: Chiang Kai Shek and Soong May Ling (1937).
Learn from History
Chinese believe reviewing history would bring up new ideas. How would you view Xian Incident? Here are some more facts for your information. Zhang was kept in custody for the rest of his life. Yang was killed just before KMT retreated to Taiwan.
Zhang never told more details about the incident until his death in 2001. Some facts about Xian Incident still remain mysterious with all of its parties passing away. Thus, there are controversies over the cause, process and effect of the incident.
About The Author
Anna Yuen is a Hong Kong Chinese. She loves Chinese culture and history. Check her website and share her China travel experience and stories.
http://china-travel-golden-route.com
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