Wang Jingwei’s Unchanged Ideology | June 29, 2024 New Book Launch Seminar with Hsu Yuming

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On 29th June 2024, the Wang Jingwei Irrevocable Trust invited Professor Hsu Yuming from Ritsumeikan University in Japan to host a seminar at the Kishuan Literary Forest moderated by Professor Eugene Chiu from Donghai University. Drawing on firsthand historical materials, Professor Hsu re-examined Wang Jingwei’s policies toward Japan, exploring the consistent spirit underlying his approach. From his early advocacy of “Sino-Japanese Cooperation” inspired by the Meiji Restoration during his studies in Japan, to his post-Paris Peace Conference proposal of “Human Coexistence, ” Wang Jingwei consistently sought to construct a regional order of Sino-Japanese equality and coexistence within the framework of the traditional Eastern concept of “Brother Nations. ”
We often overlook Wang Jingwei’s significance in history. Because of his later cooperation with Japan, we label him as pro-Japanese, a traitor, while disregarding his positive qualities. This leads to a biased understanding of him.HSU YUMING

The lecture is divided into three parts, all of which have been released on YouTube. Professor Hsu emphasized that Wang Jingwei’s ideology was not “fickle” but rather consistently aligned with his belief in Sino-Japanese amity. His tragedy stemmed from the challenges of his era. The Soviet Union’s involvement in China during the 1920s, Japan’s expansionist ambitions, and the internal contradictions within Sun Yat-sen’s political path forced Wang Jingwei to struggle between anti-Communism and pro-Japanese collaboration. Professor Chiu added that after the 1927 Purge of the Communists, Wang Jingwei, disillusioned with the Soviet Union and politically frustrated, gradually turned toward cooperation with Japan, only to find himself trapped in even more complex political quagmires. Watch the entire lecture by clicking here.

don’t miss our spring lectures

On March 29, 2025 the Wang Jingwei Irrevocable Trust will host a lecture at Kishu An Forest of Literature in Taipei. Professor Eugene Chiu will dissect the political ideologies of the young Wang Jingwei, while Professor Hsu Yuming unveils the complexities of wartime Sino-Japanese collaborations. Moderated by Dr. Augustine Pan, this session reexamines Wang’s multifaceted legacy through rare historical archives — register now!

Subsequent events include lectures in Taipei and Taichung, featuring Yu Jie, Sang Pu, and Akio Yaita. They will delve into Wang Jingwei’s political stance and ideological context, exploring key issues in the history of modern China. Stay tuned to our latest announcements for more details! For highlights of previous seminars, visit our YouTube channel.

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