Title

Zhang Zhidong and the Nanyang Navy

Author

Zhu, Wen-yu Liu, Dun  

Genre

Article  

Pages

283-310  

Download

PDF

Language

Chinese  

Key words

Zhang Zhidong (Chang Chih-tung), Nanyang Navy, First Sino-Japaness War, Lord Charles Beresford, Japan, Jiang-yuan gunboat  

Abstract

        In the course of developing their maritime power during the late Qing Dynasty, the Nanyang Navy 南洋海軍 (Southern Ocean Fleet) had been relatively backward compared to the Beiyang Navy 北洋海軍 (Northern Ocean Fleet). Zhang Zhidong 張之洞 was twice appointed Viceroy of the Southern Yangtse River Region and the Minister of Nanyang. Throughout his service, he made every effort to promote the Nanyang Navy. During the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895, he advocated purchasing warships from different sources and was planning to rescue Taiwan by attacking Japan. After the war, when Lord Charles Beresford visited China, Zhang stressed the importance of expanding China’s maritime power and of building a modern army. Although his ship acquisition plan during the first Sino-Japanese War had failed, along with the implementation of the so-called New Policy after 1901, Zhang finally reached an agreement with a Japanese company to import a new gunboat (the Jiang-yuan 江元 gunboat) and pushed forward the development of the Nanyang Navy.