In the third episode of the seminar series delivered on April 6 2024, Dr. Augustine Pan from the University of Auckland in New Zealand discussed what Wang Jingwei did for the people in the occupied areas after founding the Nanjing National Government in 1940. Dr. Pan believed that Wang Jingwei did not betray his country; he only sacrificed himself, dedicating his life to the Chinese people.
There are no perfect individuals in history; all are ordinary people. The evaluation of history should have a standard that is based on human lives. Before the Qing Dynasty, the standard was determined by the Emperor. After the Qing Dynasty, under the Republic of China, the people developed their own standard. Therefore, when we view an historical figure or ruler, we should assess whether they were good to the people, not according to political propaganda or ideology.AUGUSTINE PAN
At the end of this video, there is a summary by the renowned historian Professor Eugene Chiu and a sharing by Mr. Pan Jiasheng, a witness from the occupied area.
We in Nanjing do not consider Wang Jingwei a traitor because, before Mr. Wang arrived in Nanjing, the Japanese had already occupied Nanjing, and it was very chaotic. They could bully you at any time. When we came from the countryside into the city, passing through the city gates and seeing Japanese soldiers, we had to bow three times; if you didn’t bow, they would scold you. After Mr. Wang organized the government in Nanjing, both sides stabilized, and there were no more incidents of bullying.PAN JIASHENG
Watch the entire lecture by clicking here.
