CHINA’S AWAKENING

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17454, 31 December 1930, Page 5

CHINA’S AWAKENING

WORK OF NATIONAL PARTY RECONSTRUCTION TASKS VIGOROUS FOREIGN POLICY. The China of to-day is not, the China of old romance, not even (lie China, of 30 years ago, contentedly dreaming of past glories. China to-day is a living, moving force. A new spirit of nationalism has been awakened in the hearts of the people, who are determined Unit China shall take her rightful place among the nations of the world. This strong declaration was made by the Chinese Consul-General, Mr. F. T. Hung, at a banquet given in his honor by the Chinese residents of Brisbane recently. Reviewing the more recent history of China, Mr Sung said that the overthrow of the Manchu dynasty in 1911, necessary as it was for the progress of the country, nevertheless threw China into a period of political chaos and civil war, which had been the cause of much sufiering to the people. Dr. Sun Nat Sen, “the father of the Chinese Republic, recognised three distinct periods in the revolution of the country—first, a period of military destruction, which apparently was inevitable, and which lasted foi 17 years ; secondlv, a period of political training, and, lastly, a period of constitution.

ORIGIN OF NATIONAL MOVEMENT The Kiio-min-tang, or Chinese-National party, had its origin in the Hung Men llni” (later known as Tung Men llui), a revolutionary society lormcd in lokio, Japan, in ,1904; in 1912, when the elections for provincial and national assemblies were held, it united with other liberal parties for the purpose of this election, and the Kuo-nnn-tang was horn. Ry 1926 it had become a much stronger political force within the country, and the ideas which it held became 'much more generally accepted. [>v March, 1927, the Nationalist Army was in control of the whole of the country south of the Vangtse Valley. Difficulties with the more radical members of the party delayed further operalions for a, whole- year. In Mairli. I.Uw the KnO-inin-tnng party k‘‘l <») loi Pekin, the capture of which city, so iori'er the seat of Hie Northern Government,, was essential for the party S pmticro ’ Bv June, despite international complications at Tsinan, Shantung, the citv of Pekin had been evacuated, and assisted by Feng Yu II siting the Kuo-min-tamr was in possession of the Noitnern capital, and tho seat of government for the whole of China was definitely established at Nanking. Urn name of Pekin was changed to that by which n was originally known, Peiping, meaning “Northern Peace.”, It was claimed, said Mr. Sung, that the period of military destruction was over, and that the second period—that of political training-had been entered upon. In effect, tho party was in the position of nation'll dictator acting on behalf of the people Until such time as the people themselves should be in a position to set up a constitutional Government. Thus the National Congress of the Kuo-min-tang was 'the highest authority within the country. Having obtained this measure, of ymt.V ;«« stability the'country was fi;ankly f.iung its problems of reconstriic ion R w->s fortunate Hint, China, with Has reconstruction work before her, was not, oy*hurdened with national debt. Australia, so he gathered from the newspapers, liad an interest bill of £1,000,000 a week. It was probable that Chinas total indebtedness did not much exceed that, sum.

PLACE IN THE WORLD TO-DAY Far more important than military successes, far more vital (linn capture oi tM> former capital city, was the new spin of nationalism that bad been awakened in ttic hearts of Hie people. Ins alone had made possible Hie nfitional revolution. In its vigorous loreign policy tne National Government of China, was focussing its attention on the Overseas Chinese, whereas under the Mauri u dynasty no consideration was given, to those people who had emigrated. A commission had been appointed u IU was now investigating the conditions under which Chinese lived m the conntries of tlicit* adoption.