China And The Great War

This book is about China's involvement in the First World War and how it changed China and the world. Professor Xu uses archival materials from China, France, Germany, UK, and USA to make his argument. He argues that China wanted to join the war and that its participation was not only a defining moment in modern Chinese and world history, but the beginning of China's long journey towards internationalization.

China's role in the First World War has been a curiously neglected topic. This 2005 book is a full-length study of China's involvement in the conflict from perspectives of international history, using largely unknown archival materials from China, France, Germany, UK, and USA. It explains why China wanted to join the war and what were its contributions to the war effort and the emerging world order in the postwar period. The book also demonstrates that China's participation in the First World War was not only a defining moment in modern Chinese and world history, but also the beginning of China's long journey toward internationalization. In this provocative book, Professor Xu adds a new dimension to our collective memory of the war, its tragedy and its significance, and restores the China war memory into its rightful place. Review: Review of the hardback: 'Any student of WW1 would consider this book as an essential read.' Open History Review of the hardback: '... a fine example of the writing of international history, based on careful archival research. The argument is skilfully developed and assisted by a small section of illustrations. It puts before the reader the Chinese side of a story which is not unfamiliar but which has been slanted in the past.' The China Quarterly Review of the hardback: 'This is an important book, helping to answer hitherto neglected questions about China's role in the Great War and the role the war played in bringing China onto a changing international stage. It is well researched and written, and deserves to be read widely.' Asian Affairs