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15 February 2009, Volume 0 Issue 1 Previous Issue    Next Issue

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What Chinese Biographies of Moral Exemplars Tell Us about Disaster Experiences(1600—1900) AN Wei-Ya, CAO Xin-Yu, LIU Xi-Fu 2009, 0(1): 1-9.  Abstract ( )   PDF (460KB) ( )   In the past the paradigm of the dynastic cycle associating dynastic decline with the increasing occurrence of serious disasters on the one hand and the verdicts of imperialist Western observers on a doomed empire on the other hand were quite effective in shaping the way we perceive the history of disasters in China. There has been little focused research that would help us to get beyond these commonplace statements towards an empirically well2founded history of disasters , especially their impact on people , society and culture. By exploring the biographies in the local histories of the Linfen region , this paper is designed to examine the potential of this type of source for a cultural and social history of disasters in China. Related Articles | Metrics

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Concepts and Expressions in the Xing-Ye Narratives in the Local Chronicles of Guizhou Province in the Qing Dynasty MENG Fan-Song 2009, 0(1): 10-20.  Abstract ( )   PDF (577KB) ( )   The Xing-ye narrative had been playing an important role in most local chronicles by the end of the Qing Dynasty. The geneaology of knowledge , ideas and beliefs of local chronicles can be examined through the Xing-ye narratives. This paper investigates the construction , configuration , function and dysfunction of the Xing-ye narratives of the local chronicles in the Guizhou Province in the Qing Dynasty , exploring the related traditional Chinese knowledge transformation in the early modern period. Related Articles | Metrics

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Xu Jiyu and His Works through the Westerners’ Eyes WU Yi-Xiong 2009, 0(1): 21-35.  Abstract ( )   PDF (893KB) ( )   In the mid-19th Century , Xu Jiyu and his famous book Ying Huan Zhi Lue became a sign of China for the westerners who were trying to understand China. American missionaries Lyman B. Peet and Samuel Wells Williams published long reviews on this book with great remarks , contrasting sharply with Charles Gutzlaffps harsh critical review on Hai Guo Tu Zhi by Wei Yuan. Xu Jiyu used all the opportunities to consult westerners he had met about the geography and history of the world. In the meantime , westerners took Xu Jiyu and his Ying Huan Zhi Lue as a channel to explore Chinese culture. Xu Jiyu won Westernersp high praises because of his reasonable attitudes towards diplomatic affairs and his tolerance on the missionaries. Related Articles | Metrics

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A Comparative Study of Guo Songtao and Liu Xihong’s Political Thought:Focusing on Their Views of Chinese Scholar-Officials and the British Political System XIAO Ye-Tai-Jiao 2009, 0(1): 36-54.  Abstract ( )   PDF (947KB) ( )   This paper undertakes a comparative study of Guo Songtao and Liu Xihongps political thought . The first point that the author emphasizes is that prior to serving on diplomatic missions their critical topic of concern was what role the Chinese Scholar2officials should play in society. The second point that the author stresses is the relation between concern for the role of scholar2officials in Chinese society and their views of the West . Both men examined Western society from this perspective , and directed their attention to the relation between government officials and private citizens in Britain moreover their views of the British political system differed. Related Articles | Metrics

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Merchant Association as a Conceptual Tool:Chongqing’s Case in the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries CHEN Ya-Ping 2009, 0(1): 55-64.  Abstract ( )   PDF (2606KB) ( )   For a long time, Guild, the contemporary European academic concept, has a long-term effect on the histor ical studies of ChineseMerchant Associations, which were constructed on the basis of Chinese history, society and culture. This article takes the case of Baxian county to analyze the historical context of the Chinese ideas of‘hang’,‘bang’, ‘huiguan’,‘gongsuo’ and‘hui, ’ etc. in the 18th and 19th centur ies thus to promote a better understanding of the systematic changes for ChineseMerchant Associations under the cultural and social circumstances of China. Related Articles | Metrics

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From Relief Affairs to Western Affairs:the Rise of Gentry-Merchants of the Jiangnan Region in the Western-style Enterprises ZHU Hu 2009, 0(1): 65-82.  Abstract ( )   PDF (926KB) ( )   This paper is a reexamination of the perspectives by which many scholars perceive the origin of modern Chinese gentry-merchant class and the course of the industrialization of China. A detailed analysis of the rise of the Jiangnanps gentry-merchant group in the enterprises of self2strengthening movement indicates that these two historical events were interwoven movements , thus requiring a more comprehensive point of view to understand their practical logics. Related Articles | Metrics

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Questioning the Argument of North Sea Navy’s Ammunition Lacking in the Battle of the Yellow Sea in 1894 with Another Thought on the Reasons of the Qing’s Defeat PAN Xiang-Ming 2009, 0(1): 83-93.  Abstract ( )   PDF (412KB) ( )   The North Sea Navyps Ammunition Lacking has been taken as the major reason for the Qingps defeat in the battle of the Yellow Sea. But this argument mainly derived from the account of a few Westerners in China , among whom are William F. Tyler , Sir Robert Hart and C. von Hannecken , etc. This essay questions the validty of the argument and provides a more balanced explanation. Related Articles | Metrics

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The Dispute over the Emperor Guangxu’s Ascending to the Throne GUO Wei-Dong 2009, 0(1): 94-102.  Abstract ( )   PDF (2610KB) ( )   Emperor Guangxu ascended to the throne under the control of Empress Dowager Cixi. But the dispute over his succession to the throne lasted for several years. Wu Kedu even committed suicide to make his voice heard by the Qing court. As a result of Wu’s suicidal protest, more high ranking officials had been summoned to discuss the throne succession issue. This paper examines the role of the “Qingliu” officials, or the “Purification Clique”, at this critical moment. Related Articles | Metrics

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The Political Significance of Emperor Kangxi’s Commentaries on the Ming Court LIU Zhi-Gang 2009, 0(1): 103-112.  Abstract ( )   PDF (590KB) ( )   Emperor Kangxi’s commentaries on the Ming Court tell two completely different categories of Ming politicians. His standard was slightly different from that of his contemporary literati officials. But his commentaries served to strengthen the legitimacy of the Monarchy authority and provided an important rhetoric to contain the power of the civil official group. The profound political influence of his commentaries could be clearly felt in the Qing Dynasty. Related Articles | Metrics