Wen Zongyao
Encyclopedia
Wen Tsung-yao (1876 - November 30, 1947) , styled
Qinfu (欽甫), was a politician and diplomat in the Qing Dynasty
and the Republic of China
. In the late Qing era, he belonged to the pro-reform
group. In the era of the Republic, he participated in the Sun Yat-sen
's Canton Militarist Government. However, during the invasion of Japanese
, he was a leading politician in the Reformed Government of the Republic of China and the Wang Jingwei regime, which were puppets state installed by the Japanese. He was born in Sunning ' onMouseout='HidePop("7734")' href="/topics/Taishan">Taishan
), Kwangtung
.
was his schoolmate. He was a member of the Furen Literary Society
which advocated revolution against the Qing Dynasty. In 1895 Wen joined the Revive China Society
founded by Sun. In 1897 he studied at the Imperial Tientsin University
, after graduating, he became an English teacher of the Queen's College
. Later he became a secretary for Feng Keyi who engaged in the work for negotiating to United Kingdom.
In July 1900 Wen Tsung-yao participated in the Independence Army uprising which was organized by pr-reform leader Tang Caichang , and Wen was appointed a representative for foreign affairs to Shanghai
. In next month, Tang failed to rise in rebellion against Qing Dynasty and was executed. Wen escaped to Southern China and got positions under the Viceroy of Liangguang
. From 1903 to 1908, he successively held the positions of Chief of Foreign Affairs Bureau of Liangguang , Director to the Telephone Administration of Guangdong, Director to the Military Cadets' Academy of Guangdong (廣東將辦學堂), etc. In 1904 he was sent to India
as Deputy Envoy to negotiate with the British Government over the question of British trade in Tibet and a member of the Tang Shaoyi
's party. In same August Wen returned to China, and became a secretary for foreign affairs to the Viceroy of Liangguang Cen Chunxuan
.
In 1908 Wen Tsung-yao was appointed Deputy President reside in Tibet as the representative of Qing Dynasty. On that time, United Kingdom's influence to Dalai Lama XIII
was strengthened. So Wen wanted to recover Qing's influence, and insisted that Qing's troops station at Tibet to Dalai Lama XIII. But Dalai Lama XIII had protested against Qing's troops entered to Tibet, he fled to India, and Qing declared dethroning him. Later Wen returned to Peking, he was appointed a Councillor of the Foreign Office.
broke out, Wen Tsung-yao, Wu Tingfang
and Zhang Jian
declared their support for republicanism. After the Republic of China
was established in 1912, Wen participated in the movement for political parties. In August 1912 he participated in the Song Jiaoren
's Kuomintang
where he was appointed a councilor. In December 1915 the National Protection War
broke out, Wen joined the National Protection Army against Yuan Shikai
. In May 1916 the Military Bureau was established, Wen was appointed Deputy Diplomatic Envoy.
In September 1917 Sun Yat-sen started the Constitutional Protection Movement, and established the Canton Militarist Government. Wen also participated in it, but he supported Cen Chunxuan who was in opposition to Sun. In May 1918 Sun lost the leadership in the Government, when the governmental System was transformed to 7-President System. As Cen got the position of Chief of the Presidents, the disappointed Sun resigned as the President. In April 1920 Wen was appointed Minister for Foreign Affairs by Cen, and in May, also got the position of President. But in November, Cen was defeated by Sun and Chen Jiongming
's troops, Wen also retired and hid in Shanghai for over 10 years.
. In the next month, they established the Reformed Government of the Republic of China in Nanking, Wen was appointed Chief of the Legislative Yuan . In March 1940 the Wang Jingwei regime was established, Wen was appointed Chief of the Judicial Yuan , and successively held many important positions.
After Japan unconditionally surrendered
and the Wang Jingwei regime collapsed, Wen Tsung-yao was arrested by the Nationalist Government
in Shanghai on September 27, 1945. On July 8, he was sentenced to life imprisonment on the charge of treason (Hanjian
).
Wen Tsung-yao died in prison in Nanking on November 30, 1947.
Chinese style name
A Chinese style name, sometimes also known as a courtesy name , is a given name to be used later in life. After 20 years of age, the zì is assigned in place of one's given name as a symbol of adulthood and respect...
Qinfu (欽甫), was a politician and diplomat in the Qing Dynasty
Qing Dynasty
The Qing Dynasty was the last dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912 with a brief, abortive restoration in 1917. It was preceded by the Ming Dynasty and followed by the Republic of China....
and the Republic of China
Republic of China
The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
. In the late Qing era, he belonged to the pro-reform
Hundred Days' Reform
The Hundred Days' Reform was a failed 104-day national cultural, political and educational reform movement from 11 June to 21 September 1898 in late Qing Dynasty China. It was undertaken by the young Guangxu Emperor and his reform-minded supporters...
group. In the era of the Republic, he participated in the Sun Yat-sen
Sun Yat-sen
Sun Yat-sen was a Chinese doctor, revolutionary and political leader. As the foremost pioneer of Nationalist China, Sun is frequently referred to as the "Father of the Nation" , a view agreed upon by both the People's Republic of China and the Republic of China...
's Canton Militarist Government. However, during the invasion of Japanese
Second Sino-Japanese War
The Second Sino-Japanese War was a military conflict fought primarily between the Republic of China and the Empire of Japan. From 1937 to 1941, China fought Japan with some economic help from Germany , the Soviet Union and the United States...
, he was a leading politician in the Reformed Government of the Republic of China and the Wang Jingwei regime, which were puppets state installed by the Japanese. He was born in Sunning ' onMouseout='HidePop("7734")' href="/topics/Taishan">Taishan
Taishan
Taishan is a coastal county-level city in Guangdong Province, China. The city is part of the Greater Taishan Region....
), Kwangtung
Guangdong
Guangdong is a province on the South China Sea coast of the People's Republic of China. The province was previously often written with the alternative English name Kwangtung Province...
.
In late Qing Dynasty
He entered the Government Central School, Hong Kong , and Sun Yat-senSun Yat-sen
Sun Yat-sen was a Chinese doctor, revolutionary and political leader. As the foremost pioneer of Nationalist China, Sun is frequently referred to as the "Father of the Nation" , a view agreed upon by both the People's Republic of China and the Republic of China...
was his schoolmate. He was a member of the Furen Literary Society
Furen Literary Society
The Furen Literary Society, also known as the Chinese Patriotic Mutual Improvement Association, or the 'Furen Cultural Society Restoration Association ', was founded in Colonial Hong Kong in 1892 to spread ideas of revolution against the Qing Dynasty and establishing a republic in China.It was...
which advocated revolution against the Qing Dynasty. In 1895 Wen joined the Revive China Society
Revive China Society
The Hsing Chung Hui or Xingzhonghui translated as the Revive China Society, Society for Regenerating China, Proper China Society was founded by Sun Yat-sen on 24 November 1894 to forward the goal of establishing prosperity for China and as a platform for future revolutionary activities...
founded by Sun. In 1897 he studied at the Imperial Tientsin University
Tianjin University
Tianjin University is a national university under the direct administration of the Ministry of Education of China. It is the first university in modern Chinese education history. It was part of Peiyang University in 1895...
, after graduating, he became an English teacher of the Queen's College
Queen's College, Hong Kong
Queen's College , initially named The Government Central School in 1862, later renamed as Victoria College in 1889, is a sixth form college for boys with a secondary school attached. It was the first public secondary school founded in Hong Kong by the British colonial government...
. Later he became a secretary for Feng Keyi who engaged in the work for negotiating to United Kingdom.
In July 1900 Wen Tsung-yao participated in the Independence Army uprising which was organized by pr-reform leader Tang Caichang , and Wen was appointed a representative for foreign affairs to Shanghai
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
. In next month, Tang failed to rise in rebellion against Qing Dynasty and was executed. Wen escaped to Southern China and got positions under the Viceroy of Liangguang
Viceroy of Liangguang
The Viceroy of Liangguang , fully referred to as the Governor General of Liangguang and surrounding areas; Overseeing Military Affairs, Food Production; Manager of Waterways; Director of Civil Affairs , was one of eight viceroys in China proper during the Qing Dynasty of China...
. From 1903 to 1908, he successively held the positions of Chief of Foreign Affairs Bureau of Liangguang , Director to the Telephone Administration of Guangdong, Director to the Military Cadets' Academy of Guangdong (廣東將辦學堂), etc. In 1904 he was sent to India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
as Deputy Envoy to negotiate with the British Government over the question of British trade in Tibet and a member of the Tang Shaoyi
Tang Shaoyi
Táng Shàoyí , was a Chinese diplomat, politician. He was the father-in-law of Wellington Koo and Lee Seng Gee.-Career:...
's party. In same August Wen returned to China, and became a secretary for foreign affairs to the Viceroy of Liangguang Cen Chunxuan
Cen Chunxuan
Cen Chunxuan was the governor of Shanxi , governor-general of Sichuan , Liangguang , Yungui , and Tibet and chairman of the Governing Committee of the Military Government of China .-Biography:He was under the protection of General Lu Rongting's Old...
.
In 1908 Wen Tsung-yao was appointed Deputy President reside in Tibet as the representative of Qing Dynasty. On that time, United Kingdom's influence to Dalai Lama XIII
Thubten Gyatso, 13th Dalai Lama
Thubten Gyatso was the 13th Dalai Lama of Tibet.During 1878 he was recognized as the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama. He was escorted to Lhasa and given his pre-novice vows by the Panchen Lama, Tenpai Wangchuk, and named "Ngawang Lobsang Thupten Gyatso Jigdral Chokley Namgyal"...
was strengthened. So Wen wanted to recover Qing's influence, and insisted that Qing's troops station at Tibet to Dalai Lama XIII. But Dalai Lama XIII had protested against Qing's troops entered to Tibet, he fled to India, and Qing declared dethroning him. Later Wen returned to Peking, he was appointed a Councillor of the Foreign Office.
In the early years of the Republic of China
In October 1911 Xinhai RevolutionXinhai Revolution
The Xinhai Revolution or Hsinhai Revolution, also known as Revolution of 1911 or the Chinese Revolution, was a revolution that overthrew China's last imperial dynasty, the Qing , and established the Republic of China...
broke out, Wen Tsung-yao, Wu Tingfang
Wu Tingfang
Wu Tingfang was a Chinese diplomat and politician who served as Minister of Foreign Affairs and briefly as Acting Premier during the early years of the Republic of China. He is also known under his Cantonese name Ng Choy -Biography:...
and Zhang Jian
Zhang Jian (politician)
Zhang Jian , courtesy name Jizhi , sobriquet Se'an , was a Chinese entrepreneur, politician and educationist.-Biography:Zhang was born in Haimen County, Jiangsu Province in 1853...
declared their support for republicanism. After the Republic of China
Republic of China
The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
was established in 1912, Wen participated in the movement for political parties. In August 1912 he participated in the Song Jiaoren
Song Jiaoren
Song Jiaoren was a Chinese republican revolutionary, political leader and a founder of the Kuomintang . He was assassinated in 1913 after leading his Kuomintang party to victory in China's first democratic elections...
's Kuomintang
Kuomintang
The Kuomintang of China , sometimes romanized as Guomindang via the Pinyin transcription system or GMD for short, and translated as the Chinese Nationalist Party is a founding and ruling political party of the Republic of China . Its guiding ideology is the Three Principles of the People, espoused...
where he was appointed a councilor. In December 1915 the National Protection War
National Protection War
The National Protection War , also known as the anti-Monarchy War, was a civil war that took place in China between 1915 and 1916. The cause of this war was Yuan Shikai's proclamation of himself as Emperor. Only three years earlier, the last Chinese dynasty, the Qing Dynasty, had been overthrown...
broke out, Wen joined the National Protection Army against Yuan Shikai
Yuan Shikai
Yuan Shikai was an important Chinese general and politician famous for his influence during the late Qing Dynasty, his role in the events leading up to the abdication of the last Qing Emperor of China, his autocratic rule as the second President of the Republic of China , and his short-lived...
. In May 1916 the Military Bureau was established, Wen was appointed Deputy Diplomatic Envoy.
In September 1917 Sun Yat-sen started the Constitutional Protection Movement, and established the Canton Militarist Government. Wen also participated in it, but he supported Cen Chunxuan who was in opposition to Sun. In May 1918 Sun lost the leadership in the Government, when the governmental System was transformed to 7-President System. As Cen got the position of Chief of the Presidents, the disappointed Sun resigned as the President. In April 1920 Wen was appointed Minister for Foreign Affairs by Cen, and in May, also got the position of President. But in November, Cen was defeated by Sun and Chen Jiongming
Chen Jiongming
Chen Jiongming was a revolutionary figure in the early periods of the Republic of China. Chen Jiongming was born in 1878 at Haifeng, Guangdong, China....
's troops, Wen also retired and hid in Shanghai for over 10 years.
In the Reformed Government and the Wang Jingwei regime
In February 1938 Wen Tsung-yao was contacted by the Japanese who were invading China, and started to organize the Puppet Government for Japan with Liang HongzhiLiang Hongzhi
Liang Hongzhi; was a leading official in the Anhui clique of the Beiyang Government, later noted for his role as in the collaborationist Reformed Government of the Republic of China during World War II.-Biography:...
. In the next month, they established the Reformed Government of the Republic of China in Nanking, Wen was appointed Chief of the Legislative Yuan . In March 1940 the Wang Jingwei regime was established, Wen was appointed Chief of the Judicial Yuan , and successively held many important positions.
After Japan unconditionally surrendered
Surrender of Japan
The surrender of Japan in 1945 brought hostilities of World War II to a close. By the end of July 1945, the Imperial Japanese Navy was incapable of conducting operations and an Allied invasion of Japan was imminent...
and the Wang Jingwei regime collapsed, Wen Tsung-yao was arrested by the Nationalist Government
Republic of China
The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
in Shanghai on September 27, 1945. On July 8, he was sentenced to life imprisonment on the charge of treason (Hanjian
Hanjian
In Chinese culture, a Hanjian is a derogatory and pejorative term for a race traitor to the Han Chinese nation or state, and to a lesser extent, Han ethnicity. The word Hanjian is distinct from the general word for traitor, which could be used for any race or country...
).
Wen Tsung-yao died in prison in Nanking on November 30, 1947.
Footnotes
- Shao Guihua , Wen Zongyao.