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
แสดงบทความที่มีป้ายกำกับ Without แสดงบทความทั้งหมด
แสดงบทความที่มีป้ายกำกับ Without แสดงบทความทั้งหมด
วันเสาร์ที่ 9 สิงหาคม พ.ศ. 2551
วันพุธที่ 30 กรกฎาคม พ.ศ. 2551
The Chinese American Without A Chinese Name
The Chinese American Without A Chinese Name
I walked up to the customs agent's counter in Beijing International airport, and mindlessly handed the customs agent my passport. He then mindlessly did his thing with my passport. It was supposed to be a quiet transaction, but he broke the silence when he looked up and asked if I still use my Chinese name in America. With a blank look on my face, I began to consider supplying him with an answer he might like to hear, but he didn't give me enough time to think and he answered for me that that I must not use my Chinese name anymore. My passport was handed back to me with a smile. He then wished me a pleasant journey and pointed me to the three long security checkpoints reserved for US bound passengers. While standing in line, I thought about my long-lost Chinese name and how unattached I am to my Chinese name....
Born in 1969 in communist China, my parents promptly decided to name me after something that had something to do with Chairman Mao. Not that they thought of him as a great leader, but rather out of fear. They picked a little known poem by Mao, which allowed them to show enough dedication to Mao without being reminded too much of him. My name was the first character of the three character title of this poem. (They actually needed to have three children to qualify for Mao's poem, but they stopped at two. My sister's name was the second character of the title, but her character is better known.) They clearly went too far with their quest, not only did most people fail to associate my name properly with Chairman Mao, but most people simply don't know the character that is my name.
As a young child in China, it always surprised me if someone could pronounce my name correctly without being told first. I regarded anyone who knew my name as certainly the most learned and intelligent. They would often ask anyway how I got such a little known character as a name and I would politely repeat the origin of my name, including that I only have one sibling and that I don't actually know the poem itself, just the title. I also endured numerous longer and more colorful dialogs about my name between my mother and other curious people. Once in a while, my parents would apologetically explain that my name was selected to protect me, but I am certain that my name had not once protected me when I got myself in trouble.
I came to America just in time to start 8th grade, and by then my Chinese name had been loosely “translated” phonetically into English. Now it really sounds nothing like my name, even when I say it. On quite a few occasions, I was completely oblivious when someone was calling for me. One day, my grandmother suggested to me that since I live in America now, it would be easier to have an English name. I thought this was an excellent idea. The very first name she suggested was “Jenny,” and I said okay. Finally, I had a name that is simple, modest, and best of all, does not call attention to itself.
When I got married, since my husband isn't Chinese, I realized that I would lose part of my ethnic identity if I changed my last name but I decided to change my last name anyway. The logic was simple: I wanted to have the same last name as my future children so that no one would mistake me for their nanny. I kept my maiden name as my middle name. I like my last name by birth. Most of the time a middle name is not required, so, on paper, my name does not suggest that I am Chinese American.
In real life, I am a Chinese American—a proud one, I might add. I am fluent in spoken and written Chinese. My favorite carb is rice, in fact, it is pretty much the only carb I like. I am also an avid green tea drinker, and rarely miss an opportunity to order stinky bean curd if my dining partner can tolerate if not share it. After I had children of my own, it became even more important to embrace being Chinese. I wanted to pass down the great Chinese heritage and values to my children. They are taught to be respectful and obedient to their teachers in school, and that being smart and getting good grades is a great source of pride, and yes! math and science is more important than liberal arts.
I also made great efforts to teach my children to be fluent in Mandarin Chinese in our predominately English speaking household. We were fortunate to afford the neat trick of hiring a full time Chinese speaking nanny for our children for 6 years. I read Chinese children books to my children almost religiously every night. Both of my kids were given Chinese names (ones that I like) in addition to English ones and we use their Chinese names at home. We celebrate each major Chinese holiday, and for Chinese New Year, I even stage a celebration that can sort of rival Christmas. They get all dressed up in their beautiful silk Chinese outfits on New Year's day, I arrange nice display of treats on our table for the kids to enjoy, and instead of the more traditional treats, I disguise mine with gold-wrapped Chocolate coins, and snacks that they like. After all, one has to enjoy the treats to appreciate the holiday. And of course, the red envelops, which they grow to appreciate more and more each year. One day, I think they might like it better than the presents during Christmas. I just have to be very generous with their red envelops. But the most festive part of our Chinese New Year celebration is our annul pilgrimage to my parent's house. Where they learn that Chinese New Year is a great family celebration mixed with a lot of eating, and more red envelops for the children. I tell them that they are lucky to have more holiday celebrations than most of their friends, because they are Chinese.
And I am lucky to be an Chinese American too. Because I fully embrace the benefits from two great cultures. Even without a Chinese name.
I walked up to the customs agent's counter in Beijing International airport, and mindlessly handed the customs agent my passport. He then mindlessly did his thing with my passport. It was supposed to be a quiet transaction, but he broke the silence when he looked up and asked if I still use my Chinese name in America. With a blank look on my face, I began to consider supplying him with an answer he might like to hear, but he didn't give me enough time to think and he answered for me that that I must not use my Chinese name anymore. My passport was handed back to me with a smile. He then wished me a pleasant journey and pointed me to the three long security checkpoints reserved for US bound passengers. While standing in line, I thought about my long-lost Chinese name and how unattached I am to my Chinese name....
Born in 1969 in communist China, my parents promptly decided to name me after something that had something to do with Chairman Mao. Not that they thought of him as a great leader, but rather out of fear. They picked a little known poem by Mao, which allowed them to show enough dedication to Mao without being reminded too much of him. My name was the first character of the three character title of this poem. (They actually needed to have three children to qualify for Mao's poem, but they stopped at two. My sister's name was the second character of the title, but her character is better known.) They clearly went too far with their quest, not only did most people fail to associate my name properly with Chairman Mao, but most people simply don't know the character that is my name.
As a young child in China, it always surprised me if someone could pronounce my name correctly without being told first. I regarded anyone who knew my name as certainly the most learned and intelligent. They would often ask anyway how I got such a little known character as a name and I would politely repeat the origin of my name, including that I only have one sibling and that I don't actually know the poem itself, just the title. I also endured numerous longer and more colorful dialogs about my name between my mother and other curious people. Once in a while, my parents would apologetically explain that my name was selected to protect me, but I am certain that my name had not once protected me when I got myself in trouble.
I came to America just in time to start 8th grade, and by then my Chinese name had been loosely “translated” phonetically into English. Now it really sounds nothing like my name, even when I say it. On quite a few occasions, I was completely oblivious when someone was calling for me. One day, my grandmother suggested to me that since I live in America now, it would be easier to have an English name. I thought this was an excellent idea. The very first name she suggested was “Jenny,” and I said okay. Finally, I had a name that is simple, modest, and best of all, does not call attention to itself.
When I got married, since my husband isn't Chinese, I realized that I would lose part of my ethnic identity if I changed my last name but I decided to change my last name anyway. The logic was simple: I wanted to have the same last name as my future children so that no one would mistake me for their nanny. I kept my maiden name as my middle name. I like my last name by birth. Most of the time a middle name is not required, so, on paper, my name does not suggest that I am Chinese American.
In real life, I am a Chinese American—a proud one, I might add. I am fluent in spoken and written Chinese. My favorite carb is rice, in fact, it is pretty much the only carb I like. I am also an avid green tea drinker, and rarely miss an opportunity to order stinky bean curd if my dining partner can tolerate if not share it. After I had children of my own, it became even more important to embrace being Chinese. I wanted to pass down the great Chinese heritage and values to my children. They are taught to be respectful and obedient to their teachers in school, and that being smart and getting good grades is a great source of pride, and yes! math and science is more important than liberal arts.
I also made great efforts to teach my children to be fluent in Mandarin Chinese in our predominately English speaking household. We were fortunate to afford the neat trick of hiring a full time Chinese speaking nanny for our children for 6 years. I read Chinese children books to my children almost religiously every night. Both of my kids were given Chinese names (ones that I like) in addition to English ones and we use their Chinese names at home. We celebrate each major Chinese holiday, and for Chinese New Year, I even stage a celebration that can sort of rival Christmas. They get all dressed up in their beautiful silk Chinese outfits on New Year's day, I arrange nice display of treats on our table for the kids to enjoy, and instead of the more traditional treats, I disguise mine with gold-wrapped Chocolate coins, and snacks that they like. After all, one has to enjoy the treats to appreciate the holiday. And of course, the red envelops, which they grow to appreciate more and more each year. One day, I think they might like it better than the presents during Christmas. I just have to be very generous with their red envelops. But the most festive part of our Chinese New Year celebration is our annul pilgrimage to my parent's house. Where they learn that Chinese New Year is a great family celebration mixed with a lot of eating, and more red envelops for the children. I tell them that they are lucky to have more holiday celebrations than most of their friends, because they are Chinese.
And I am lucky to be an Chinese American too. Because I fully embrace the benefits from two great cultures. Even without a Chinese name.
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