Historical Memory: 1896 Li Hongzhang's Interview with The New York Times in America - Original Account

Li Hongzhang, former Grand Councillor of Direct Lie and Minister of Beiyang of the Qing Empire, visited the United States in 1896 and was interviewed by The New York Times in New York. In the interview, he offered observations on American political parties, skyscrapers, and the education system, and severely criticized America's discriminatory legislation against Chinese, the Geary Act, and exclusionary policies, expounding on his views on free competition and foreign investment.

September 30, 2016

Japanese Invasion of Taiwan: The 1874 Mudan Incident—Kidnapping the Ryukyu Kingdom to Invade Taiwan

The article records the history of Japan's invasion of Taiwan Province in 1874 using the 'Mudan Incident' as an excuse, where Ryukyuans were killed by indigenous people in Langqiao (now Manzhou Township, Pingtung). Japan first titled the King of Ryukyu to force a relationship as an excuse for invasion and sent spies for intelligence reconnaissance. Although the Japanese army suffered heavy losses due to indigenous resistance and environmental factors, they eventually forced the Qing court to pay 500,000 taels through diplomatic negotiations and acknowledge the legitimacy of Japan's military action, causing China to lose its suzerainty over Ryukyu.

June 28, 2016