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Wen Tsung-yao (1867-1947) and Modern China
2016/2017 School of Chinese Research Student Seminar
溫宗堯 (1867-1947) 與近代中國
Wen Tsung-yao (1867-1947) and Modern China
黃振威 Wong Chun-wai
Date and Time: February 10, 2017 (Friday); 2:00-3:15pm
Venue: Room 730 Run Run Shaw Tower, Centennial Campus
Language: Cantonese
溫宗堯是近代中國一個傳奇的人物。一生立場多變，是政治變色龍。因溫宗堯晚年附日，歷史上對他的評價，毀多於譽。在晚清最後十年，溫宗堯是聲明鵲起的洋務官員，在清末民初赫有大名，而在民國初年，他活躍於外交界。二十年代初以後，他息影泉林，長年在上海作寓公，埋首個人事業。三十年代末，他重投宦海。當時反日之聲高唱入雲，他卻反其道而行，參加日本在華的傀儡政權，經常發表極其露骨的反蔣和親日言論，屢為時人所詬病。抗戰勝利以後，他因通敵，面臨審判，最後鬱鬱而終。溫宗堯是晚清、民國聞人，但有關他生平有關的資料相當零散且互有分歧。直至現在，還未見任何有關溫宗堯的系統研究，人們對溫宗堯的生平仍是一知半解。本文嘗試利用各種原始資料，重構溫宗堯不平凡的一生。
Wen Tsung-yao is a legendary figure in modern China. He was truly a chameleon in realpolitik because his political stance changed repeatedly. As he had been a collaborator with Japanese, historical comments on him are mainly negative. But in the last decade of Qing dynasty, he was highly prestigious as an official responsible for foreign affairs. In the early years of republican era, he was active in Chinese diplomacy. After 1920s he retired from politics and dedicated his energy to his personal enterprises. By the end of 1930s, he participated in politics again. At the time, the anti-Japanese atmosphere was violent, but he went the opposite way, joining the Chinese puppet-government of Japan. He always made undisguised comments with strong pro-Japanese inclination, and at the same time opposing the rule of Chiang Kai-shek. In many occasions these provoked the anger of Chinese. After the victory, he faced trial for collaboration, and died in great despair. Wen Tsung-yao was truly a celebrity of late Qing and early republican eras, but the information related to him was scattered and full of inconsistency. Until now, there is no biographical research on Wen Tsung-yao, and we are still lacking a clear understanding about him. This paper attempts to reconstruct the life and career of Wen Tsung-yao by using various unexplored primary sources.
ALL ARE WELCOME!
