tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6130830332820181818.post5244485450462604791..comments2024-03-27T13:13:25.164-04:00Comments on johnshaplin: 'China's Destiny' by Chiang Kai-shekjohnshaplinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17618981988062495637noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6130830332820181818.post-81312792980377046942010-02-23T14:29:54.277-05:002010-02-23T14:29:54.277-05:00Whether the present leadership of China rules by t...Whether the present leadership of China rules by the neo-confucian principles more consistent with the political ideology of Chiang Kai-shek or some reworking of communist ones that takes into account the pragmatical lessons of its own history is a nicety we needn't bother with to any large degree. Both Chiang and Mao were modernizing nationalists attuned to the dialectics of human of human affairs, succeeding in their efforts in some respects, failing in others.johnshaplinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17618981988062495637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6130830332820181818.post-82773311662890652382010-02-20T09:06:54.431-05:002010-02-20T09:06:54.431-05:00"The Generalissimo; Chiang Kai-Shek and the S..."The Generalissimo; Chiang Kai-Shek and the Struggle for Modern China" by Jay Taylor; The Belknap Press, 2009.johnshaplinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17618981988062495637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6130830332820181818.post-9358344610960984312010-02-20T09:04:55.720-05:002010-02-20T09:04:55.720-05:00The Chiang's legacy in China has endured, but ...The Chiang's legacy in China has endured, but not without controversy. In 2007, the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party government on Taiwan removed more than two hundred busts and statues of the Generalissimo that had been put up around the island over the years after his death (he did not allow them during his lifetime.) But then in March 2008 there was a remarkable comeback by the old party of Sun Yat-sen and Chiang Kai-shek. In a sweeping victory, the formerly dictatorial, communally (mainlander) based Kuomintang won back the presidency of the Republic of China with-most impressively- majority support of the native Taiwanese.<br /><br />"When I die if I am still a dictator, I will certainly go down in the oblivion of all dictators. If, on the other hand, I succeed in establishing a truly stable foundation for a democratic government, I will live forever in every home in China."johnshaplinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17618981988062495637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6130830332820181818.post-76881159678068517652010-02-20T09:03:44.706-05:002010-02-20T09:03:44.706-05:00* He shared the principle of one China with Mao. Z...* He shared the principle of one China with Mao. Zhou Enlai was was also Zhejiangese and he and Chiang easily conversed. As good-looking as a silent film star, Zhou was also good-humored, dignified, and polite, erudite and self-confident but modest and respectful. He was in Chiang's eyes, a sincere man. Over forty-seven years of competition, struggle, and violent conflict between the KMT and the CCP, an unusual relationship developed between the two, including mutual respect. They shared anti-imperialist and national sentiments and communicated important intelligence on issues vital to these interests through back-channels until their deaths. Thus, for example, Chiang was fully informed of all the contents of Zhou and Kissinger's conversations preparatory to Nixon's ground-breaking visit to China. They coordinated their efforts to keep foreign influences at bay and to support national unity even during periods during which they were engaged in direct armed conflict. They shared disdain for the bumbling, inchoate and ineffective policies , strategies and tactics of the United States government,( as well as the unreliability of the Soviets) though both, in positions of dependence, were required to mute criticisms of their respective allies.johnshaplinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17618981988062495637noreply@blogger.com