Journal of East China Normal University (Philosoph ›› 2014, Vol. 46 ›› Issue (3): 59-68.

• 近代史研究 • Previous Articles     Next Articles

A New Study of Zheng Guanying in the “Mutual Protection of Southeast China” Period

DAI Hai-bin   

  • Online:2014-05-15 Published:2014-09-29
  • Contact: DAI Hai-bin
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Abstract: With the consideration that “one should be suffered from a real disaster resulted from the pursuit of a vain fame”, Zheng Guanying secretly and carefully conducted the “Flag Changing” activity on the ship of China Merchants Steamship Company with a businessman’s calmness and reason. With political consideration, he also provided lots of advices concerning strengthening and developing the “Mutual Protection of Southeast China” from the political perspective. He participated in Chinese Parliament. With the acceptance of “being dutiful to the throne”, he consciously opposed Boxer Movement, exclusivity and the Northern Government. On the other hand, he had strong desire about the prospect of the political reform and carried it into practice by submitting petitions. The profound historical information implied in these facts not only provides us with clues to understand more deeply the relation between his words and his time, but also provides us with excellent material to rethink the monotone paradigm in the extant historical narrations which holds the sharp confrontation between the new and the old.