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)
