| Exactly a century ago - on September 7,
1901, the invading troops sent by Britain, Germany, The United
States, France, Tsarist Russia, Japan, Italy and Austria forced
the Chinese Qing government to sign the humiliating Protocol
of 1901. To commemorate this historical moment, China Foundation
for Human Rights Development and The First Historical Archives
of China jointly have published a bilingual edition in Chinese
and English of a pictorial album entitled The Eight-Power
Allied Forces Through Foreigners' Camera.
The bilingual album in Chinese and English
contains over 230 carefully selected photos. It reflects the
tragic and humiliating days between 1840, the first year of
the Opium Wars, and the year 1901. The album records such
historical events as the Eight-Power Allied Forces' occupation
of Tianjin, Beijing, and Shanhaiguan Pass, the plundering
of the Forbidden City, and killings of members of the Yihetuan.
Most of the photos were taken by foreigners, one-third by
a British soldier who was a member of the invading forces.
The photos were discovered by a British-Chinese, Chen Jun,
who donated them to The First Historical Archives of China.
These photos taken over 100 years ago vividly reproduce the
period of history of the Forces' invasion into China, and
portray an evil of part of the invaders and a corruption on
the part of the Qing government that is startling. Some photographs
depict the slow executions of members of Yihetuan.
China.org.cn recently invited Yang Zhengquan,
chief editor of the album and vice-chairman of China Foundation
for Human Rights Development to talk about the book.
According to Yang Zhengquan, the publication
date of September 7 was chosen for The Eight-Power Allied
Forces Through Foreigners' Camera because it is the centennial
of the signing of the Protocol of 1901. The album emphasizes
the period of history of the Eight-Power Allied Forces' invasion
of China around the signing date.
The period of history at the turn of the
20th century was tragic for China: The Reform Movement of
1898 and the Yihetuan Movement (the Boxer Rebellion) failed;
and then the Eight-Power Allied Forces seized Beijing and
forced the Qing government to sign the Protocol of 1901.
The Protocol stipulates that the Qing government shall pay
an indemnity of 450-million taels of silver to the Eight-Power
Allied Forces over 39 years with an annual interest of 4 percent.
Added to the reparations of 20-million taels of silver from
provincial governments, the total sum of the indemnity amounted
to 1billion taels of silver, equal to the nation's entire
income over 10 years.
Yang called the Protocol of 1901
the most arbitrary and unbalanced in human history. From then
on, the Chinese nation became bogged down into unprecedented
disaster.
The album includes seven sections: 1.
China before the invasion of the Eight-Power Allied Forces;
2. The Entering of envoys and legation guards into Beijing;
3. First setbacks of the Allied Forces and the capture of
Tianjin; 4. The capture of Beijing by the Eight-Power Allied
forces; 5. The war before negotiations and the signing of
the Protocol of 1901; 6. China under the Protocol
of 1901. Photocopies of the Protocol are included in the
book.
Yang said careful attention was given
to the editing of the captions accompanying the photograph,
including consultations with several historians for accuracy.
The placement of each photograph was also given careful attention.
The editors of the album hope that readers
will learn and remember this period of history through the
book. From looking at these invaluable old photographs, people
can get a fresh view of history and perspective on regarding
the past. The album will help readers learn about China's
humiliation and grievances and to understand the deep connotations
that lie within them. Viewing the great changes over the past
100 years, readers can ponder the nation's past misery while
cherishing life in China today.
Like the people in other countries, the Chinese people hope
that all countries can respect each other's sovereignty and
human rights, and develop and prosper together. However, 100
years ago, China had a corrupt government and ravaged territory
with its people subject to humiliation and slaughter. At that
time, China had no sovereignty, and its people had no human
rights. Yang said he hoped that by a looking back at this
grievous history 100 years ago, readers can foster stronger
patriotic feelings and cherish today's happy life built on
the basis of the nation's improved status.
"The world needs peace, the nation
need to develop, and the society need to progress. No power
can reverse these trends. Our album helps give us this understanding,"
Yang said.
(china.org.cn 09/07/2001)
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