“Shiju Tu” [The Current Political Situation] is displayed at the National Museum of China in Beijing. After the First Sino-Japanese War in 1894, the great powers initiated a frenzy to carve up China. Photo: Yang Lanlan/CSST

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From Nov. 30 to Dec. 1, an international academic symposium titled “The First Sino-Japanese War and the Transformation of Modern International Order—Commemorating the 130th Anniversary of the First Sino-Japanese War” was held in Jinan, Shandong Province. Participating scholars engaged in in-depth discussions on topics such as “the First Sino-Japanese War and modern international order,” “the politics, economics, and diplomacy of various countries before and after the First Sino-Japanese War,” and “the First Sino-Japanese War and modern East Asian society.”

Profound impacts

The First Sino-Japanese War, known as the “Jiawu War” in Chinese, erupted in 1894 and profoundly impacted the historical trajectory of modern East Asia and the global order. It had extensive and far-reaching effects on international relations, regional order in East Asia, as well as on the political, social, and economic landscapes of various countries. According to Dai Guoxi, dean of the School of History at Shandong University (SDU), the war drew close attention from European and American countries at the time, and its outcome significantly reshaped the interests of the great powers in East Asia. Therefore, a comprehensive and multi-dimensional analysis of the major changes brought about by the First Sino-Japanese War from political, economic, diplomatic, military, social, international relations, and other perspectives can deepen our understanding of the war’s specific impact on East Asian countries and the transformation of the modern international order.

Zhang Liheng, a professor from the School of History and Culture at Liaocheng University, believes that Japan had already harbored intentions of challenging the East Asian international order as early as the 1884 Gapsin Coup in Korea. Although the Qing court temporarily stabilized the situation through the Treaty of Tientsin, it did not halt Japan’s imperial ambitions, which culminated a decade later in Japan’s deliberate instigation of the First Sino-Japanese War.

The First Sino-Japanese War also profoundly affected the development of nationalist thought in modern South Korea. Kim Jong-hak, an associate professor from the Department of Political Science and International Relations at Seoul National University, observed that from the First Sino-Japanese War to the signing of the Second Korea-Japan Treaty, the South Korean people came to recognize the hypocrisy of “protection” in international politics and began to pursue national strength. This ultimately gave rise to modern South Korea’s “resistant nationalism,” which had a lasting influence on subsequent political changes and the nation’s path toward self-determination. 

Japan’s invasion policy

Zang Yunhu, a professor from the Department of History at Peking University, examined the evolution of Japan’s policies toward China, highlighting the intrinsic link between the First Sino-Japanese War and the infamous Twenty-One Demands. He argued that the demands were the inevitable result of Japan’s long-premeditated actions following the First Sino-Japanese War, reflecting the expansionary and aggressive nature of its policy towards China. 

Gao Shihua, a professor from Suzhou City University, emphasized the importance of recognizing the historical continuity in modern Sino-Japanese relations from the First Sino-Japanese War to the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.

Guo Haiyan, a professor from the College of Science and Technology at Nihon University, explored Japan’s post-war expansion strategies, revealing how Japan leveraged technological advancements to strengthen its military presence and political influence in the East Asian region.

Through the newly discovered manuscript of Japanese merchant Ryuhei Shiraiwa’s diaries and miscellaneous notes, Dai Haibin, a professor from the Department of History at Fudan University, provided fresh insights into the late Qing period and Sino-Japanese relations. His analysis focused on the unique perspective of Japanese individuals living in China and their interactions with various Chinese communities, enriching the scholarly understanding of this historical era.

Liu Jiafeng, a professor from the School of History at SDU, examined Western missionaries’ evaluations of China, Japan, and Korea during the First Sino-Japanese War, arguing that Japan’s brutal acts of aggression during the war challenged Western observers’ preconceptions, exposing the narrowness of the “civilization” concept held by the West. 

Historical lessons

The First Sino-Japanese War serves as a warning against the manipulation of public opinion and the distortion of facts by militaristic regimes. Wang Yuqiang, a professor from the Northeast Asian Research Center at Jilin University, found that during the Meiji era, the Japanese government exploited newspapers like Asahi Shimbun to propagate a fabricated sense of “crisis” and “mission” regarding Japan’s presence in Korea. This deliberate distortion of facts fueled public support for Japan’s expansionist ambitions, leading to the war and the catastrophic consequences in East Asia.

Li Xizhu, a research fellow from the Institute of Modern History at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, described the defeat in the First Sino-Japanese War and the subsequent cession of Taiwan in 1895 as profound tragedies for the entire Chinese nation. Both officials and gentry, as well as the military and civilians from both sides of the Taiwan Strait united to resist Japan and protect Taiwan, launching the anti-cession movement. Li called for a deeper analysis of this episode to uphold historical truth and defend national integrity. 

Zhou Qiang, deputy director of the underwater archaeology research office at the Shandong Provincial Underwater Archaeology Research Center, introduced the latest developments in underwater archaeology related to sunken warships from the war. He detailed the recovery of significant artifacts from wrecks such as the Dingyuan and Laiyuan, emphasizing their role in preserving the historical memory of the First Sino-Japanese War, and in promoting patriotism and using history as a means of education.

Party Secretary of SDU Ren Youqun stressed that history is the best textbook. The First Sino-Japanese War profoundly reshaped the political landscape of East Asia. While the wheel of history continues to move forward, the lessons from the First Sino-Japanese War remain ever relevant. Power games among great powers and intensifying geopolitical competition continue to pose the threat of conflict. With China, Japan, and South Korea sharing maritime proximity and intertwined destinies, the need to remember history, strengthen exchanges and cooperation, and adhere to the principles of extensive consultation, joint construction, and shared benefits remains a constant priority. Together, they should strive to create a peaceful and prosperous future for the world.

The symposium was jointly organized by the School of History at SDU and the Museum of the Sino-Japanese War 1894–1895—SDU National Revolutionary Relics Collaborative Research Center.

Edited by YANG LANLAN