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History of Ming and Qing Dynasties 40 Humen sells cigarettes

Duration: 0:08:46

This Chinese historical story talks about the silence symbol of the Opium War, where the Chinese emperor faced the severe effects of opium trade by British forces. The British had been exporting opium to China, leading to addiction, disease, and an economic crisis throughout the country. The emperor enacted several measures, but nothing seemed to work until he received an ordinance from Lin Zexu, who outlined six measures to ban the opium trade in China. The emperor was pleased with the results and assigned Lin Zexu to oversee the ban.

Language: Chinese
Topics: ChinaOpium War

105 Westernization Movement

Duration: 0:06:58.679002

Welcome to listen to Chinese history, but like this, the author and the node broadcast how to do the Westernization Movement in the early reign of Empress Dowager Cixi. With the assistance of Prince Gong and Prince Chun, they rectified the governance, relied on Han officials such as Zeng Guofan, Zuo Zongtang, and Li Hongzhang, and with the support of foreign powers, they successively suppressed the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, the Miao, and Muslim uprisings, which eased the ruling crisis of the Qing Dynasty, temporarily stabilizing the Qing Dynasty. Out of the consideration of maintaining feudal autocratic rule, they once again focused on the Westernization Movement, emphasizing strengthening military power by developing military and civilian industries, training the navy and the army to enhance military strength, thereby objectively promoting modernization in China. The Westernization Movement, which started under the leadership of the Westernization faction, had a positive impact. At the time, the conservative Qing government did not support the Westernization faction, and even strongly opposed it. The Westernization faction had to conduct the Westernization Movement in secret. After Empress Dowager Cixi took over the regency, the key officials such as Zeng Guofan, Zuo Zongtang, and Li Hongzhang advocated introducing advanced Western technology to defend the Qing government's position, proposing the idea of "Chinese learning for fundamental principles and Western learning for practical application." On the other hand, the conservative faction led by Empress Dowager Cixi had to rely on firearms and cannons to maintain their rule, thus initiating a significant impact on modern Chinese history. The initial goal of the Westernization Movement, led by Li Hongzhang and others, was to seek wealth through reform, primarily focusing on establishing modern military industries, creating modern armies, purchasing advanced foreign weapons, and systematically introducing Western military technology. In a short period, under the leadership of Li Hongzhang and other Westernization faction ministers, China's modern military industrial system was established, with the capability to manufacture cannons, artillery, ammunition, and steam warships domestically. This marked a significant turning point in modern Chinese history, leading to the emergence of China's capitalist industry and the unprecedented development of the military. However, the ultimate goal of the Westernization Movement was to maintain Qing rule, rather than leading China towards prosperity and strength. As a result, it failed to prevent China's fate of defeat in foreign wars and the process of semi-colonialization. As China was defeated by Japan, the Westernization faction and the Westernization Movement were blamed as the culprits of defeat. While Japan surged to become a world-class power, China fell into decline, remaining backward for a long time. Archives 86: Li Hongzhang, a native of Hefei, Anhui, entered the Hanlin Academy at the age of 24 and rose to become the Governor-General of Zhili and the Minister of Commerce for North China during the reign of Empress Dowager Cixi. He was known as a representative and pioneer of the Westernization Movement, playing a crucial role in modernizing China.

Language: Chinese
Topics: Qing Dynasty

European independent survey: Chinese vaccine is least effective among five vaccines

Duration: 0:10:18

Despite China having achieved a vaccination rate of 80% for its population, and therefore theoretically having achieved herd immunity, the government is still enforcing a zero-COVID policy. This has led to speculation that China's vaccine's efficacy may be one of the reasons for the policy, as the lack of transparency in clinical testing data has resulted in many countries refusing to import Chinese vaccines. While Hungary, a country closely linked to China, is one of the few nations to use Chinese vaccines, the government's lack of transparency in its vaccine procurement policies has drawn criticism from opposition parties. China's vaccine efficacy and its overall reliability remains a topic of global interest.

Language: Chinese
Topics: ImmunityChinaCOVID-19

Ming and Qing History 44 Sino-Japanese War

Duration: 0:08:57

This is a story about the Battle of the Yellow Sea that took place in 1894 during the Qing dynasty in China. The battle occurred after the corrupt Qing dynasty signed a series of unequal treaties with Western colonial powers. Japan, feeling left out after not gaining substantial benefits from these treaties, decided to use force to gain access to China. The Battle of the Yellow Sea was a significant naval confrontation between the Chinese and Japanese naval fleets. The battle resulted in heavy losses for the Chinese navy, but they managed to hold their ground and inflict substantial damage on the Japanese navy. The heroism and bravery of the Chinese naval officer, Deng Shichang, who went down with his sinking ship, the Zhiyuan, inspired the Chinese people and became a symbol of patriotism.

Language: Chinese
Topics: HistorySino-Japanese War

Dialogue with Bart Hofstede (He Fu), Cultural Counselor of the Dutch Embassy in China

Duration: 0:45:32

In this episode of "Art Knife", the host interviews Barksdale, the cultural attaché of the Netherlands embassy in China. The interview is conducted in English for better communication and cultural exchange. They discuss the impact of Covid-19 on cultural exchange and the work done by the embassy through online programs and collaborations with Chinese artists. They also touch upon the history and significance of Chinese art and architecture. The interview highlights the importance of cultural exchange in bringing people together and understanding different perspectives.

Language: Chinese
Topics: CultureCOVID-19

110 Xinhai Revolution

Duration: 0:07:51.992018

Welcome to listen to Chinese history, but that's it. The author and the podcaster discuss how the Xinhai Revolution unfolded on the day before the death of Emperor Guangxu. Empress Dowager Cixi summoned the military ministers to the Zhongnanhai to discuss the selection of the heir to the throne. Eventually, they chose the three-year-old Aisin Gioro Puyi and appointed his biological father, Prince Chun, as regent. The political situation of the Qing Dynasty was precarious with the nation on the brink. Patriots from all walks of life united to form revolutionary organizations. In 1905, Sun Yat-sen established the Chinese Revolutionary Alliance, whose principles can be summarized as the Three Principles of the People: nationalism, democracy, and socialism. Under the leadership of the Chinese Revolutionary Alliance, the bourgeois revolution in China took a new leap forward. In Wuhan, revolutionary organizations like the Literary Society and the Youth Party were formed, and they planned to launch an armed uprising on October 6, 1911. However, unexpected events led to delays, and the uprising was eventually moved to October 10. Despite setbacks and unexpected incidents, the revolutionaries in Wuhan finally launched the uprising on the night of October 10, 1911. By morning, the whole city of Wuhan was under their control. The subsequent events and uprisings in other cities led to the establishment of the Hubei Military Government and the declaration of the Republic of China. This Xinhai Revolution successfully overthrew the corrupt rule of the late Qing Dynasty and paved the way for a new era of democracy and republicanism in China. On January 1, 1912, the temporary government of the Republic of China was established in Nanjing, with Sun Yat-sen elected as the provisional president. On February 12, 1912, the last Qing emperor, Puyi, abdicated, bringing an end to the 268-year-old Qing Dynasty and over 2000 years of feudal imperial rule in China.

Language: Chinese
Topics: The Xinhai Revolution

108 The Boxer Rebellion

Duration: 0:08:01.163900

Welcome to listen to Chinese history, but so, the author and the nodes are wrong, the country changes in the year of 1900. The failure of the reforms did not stop the worsening national crisis in China. In the late 1890s, a large number of foreign missionaries came to China under the guise of preaching, engaging in espionage activities and frequently deceiving the Chinese people. During this period, natural disasters struck the country, causing suffering among the people. American missionaries such as Haines, Fuller, and others established churches in places like Daliuzhuang, leading to the rapid growth of their influence. The behavior of these missionaries and their followers in the local villages became intolerable to the people, who spontaneously organized movements to resist imperialist aggression, giving rise to the Boxer Rebellion and the formation of secret societies in Shandong, Henan, and Zhili provinces. These organizations set up altars, practiced martial arts, and claimed that after drawing symbols and reciting spells, they could call upon spirits to make themselves invulnerable to weapons. In 1898, the members of the 'Righteous and Harmonious Fists' (Boxers) in Guan County, Shandong, under the leadership of Qian Dechang and others, officially initiated the Boxer Rebellion. They established a central altar in the House of Affairs in Hequan, Shandong, with the village as the basic organizational unit. The Boxer members were mainly poor farmers, artisans, urban commoners, small traders, and transport workers. The local population rose up to resist the church's influence in the region, leading to conflicts with the authorities. Eventually, the government sent troops to suppress the uprising, resulting in the Boxers engaging in battles with Qing troops. Following a series of confrontations, the Boxer Rebellion led to the invasion of China by the Eight-Nation Alliance in 1900. The signing of the Boxer Protocol in 1901, also known as the 'Boxer Indemnity,' marked the end of the Boxer Rebellion. This unequal treaty imposed heavy indemnities on China, allowed foreign troops to be stationed in Beijing, and severely restricted Chinese sovereignty, bringing disastrous consequences for the Chinese people and marking the country's transformation into a semi-colonial, semi-feudal society under imperialist rule.

Language: Chinese
Topics: Qing DynastyBoxer Rebellion in Late 19th Century China

U.S.-China Climate Pledges and India's Coal Reliance

Duration: 0:11:52

The climate summit in Glasgow showcased the determination of countries to control greenhouse gas emissions. China and the US made commitments to strengthen their climate actions, despite political and economic tensions. However, China's agreement with India to reduce the use of coal was weakened, and its emissions are still twice as high as the US and four times as high as India's. Japan pledged to reduce its use of coal. The UN's document on climate change for the first time highlighted coal as a major driver of global warming, with India opposing the motion. The agreement reached called for the gradual reduction of coal use and the end of inefficient subsidies for fossil fuels. To achieve the target of controlling global warming by 1.5°C, emissions must be reduced by 10-45% by 2030, with wealthy nations required to submit new emissions plans by 2025.

Language: Chinese
Topics: Climate changeEnvironment

Beijing's Green Olympics Faces Challenges

Duration: 0:11:18

The Chinese government aims to increase its international influence through the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. However, the city faces political pressure from countries like the US, which may not send government officials to the event, due to China's human rights violations and environmental issues. The Winter Olympics committee hopes to organize an environmentally friendly and clean event. China has invested heavily in making artificial snow due to its semi-arid climate, and the government aims to improve air quality in Beijing and neighboring areas. However, the risk of winter smog remains high, and the Chinese government has implemented an emergency plan to address environmental issues. The government has prepared for possible incidents due to environmental concerns, and various measures have been taken, such as moving industrial pollution companies and constructing wind and solar power stations. Although air quality has improved, the potential for smog to affect the event remains a concern.

Language: Chinese
Topics: ChinaWinter Olympics

107 The Hundred Days' Reform

Duration: 0:07:10.451519

Welcome to listen to Chinese history. In 1894, the Beiyang Fleet of the Qing Dynasty suffered a major defeat in the First Sino-Japanese War, signaling the complete loss of the Qing government's naval power. This also marked the failure of the Self-Strengthening Movement that had been ongoing for 35 years. After defeating Japan, China rapidly became a military power and started down the path of militarism. The country's semi-colonial status and national crisis deepened, leading to a rise of patriotic intellectuals such as Kang Youwei, Liang Qichao, and Tan Sitong, who advocated for reforms to save the country. Despite facing opposition from conservative factions, they formed societies and started newspapers to spread their ideas. In 1895, news of the signing of the Treaty of Shimonoseki by Japan reached Beijing, prompting Kang Youwei, Liang Qichao, and others to petition the Emperor Guangxu for reforms. However, their efforts were hindered, and the Emperor was not able to receive their petition. At the time, Yuan Shikai, who worked in military affairs, supported Kang Youwei's ideas and was close to the reformers. The internal conflicts within the Qing court between Emperor Guangxu and Empress Dowager Cixi intensified as the reformist political reforms threatened the interests of the Manchu nobility and traditional forces led by Cixi. On September 18, 1898, Emperor Guangxu secretly sought Kang Youwei's help in response to the impending crisis. A plan was developed to remove the Empress Dowager Cixi from power, with Yuan Shikai playing a crucial role in the unfolding events. Different accounts suggest that Yuan Shikai promised to support the reformists before ultimately siding with the conservative faction, while others argue that his actions were driven by fear of Cixi's power. The coup attempt failed, leading to the downfall of the reformists and the execution of several key figures. This period, known as the Hundred Days' Reform, marked a brief period of political reform in China before ultimately collapsing due to the weakness of the reformist forces. Yuan Shikai, a prominent political and military figure in modern China, played a pivotal role in these events. Born in 1859, Yuan Shikai rose to prominence during the late Qing Dynasty and played a significant role in modernizing the Chinese military. After the downfall of the Qing Dynasty, he helped negotiate the abdication of Emperor Puyi and became the first President of the Republic of China, choosing to establish a constitutional monarchy.

Language: Chinese
Topics: Late Qing DynastyThe Hundred Days' Reform
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