Resignation

Mr. FUNG Kam Po Warren left the Department on 1 March 2025. We would like to extend our appreciation to Mr. FUNG for his contributions to the Department of History.

Recapping the Academic Seminar “Wang Jingwei and the Reconstruction of History: Archives, Interpretation, and Historical Understanding” on 19 February 2025

Prof. Kuo Tai-chun, from the Hoover Institution of Stanford University, delivered an academic seminar entitled “Wang Jingwei and the Reconstruction of History: Archives, Interpretation, and Historical Understanding” on 19 February 2025 at CUHK.

Using newly discovered archival materials, particularly those from the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the speaker reinterpreted Wang Jingwei’s betrayal of the Kuomintang, his surrender to Japan, and the establishment of his puppet regime. The central question of the lecture was how Wang underwent such a dramatic transformation—from a national hero to a “traitor”—and whether the label of “traitor” alone suffices to define his legacy.

Following a chronological approach, Prof. Kuo traced Wang’s gradual path toward forming a puppet government, arguing that his original intent was to achieve national salvation through peace negotiations—a stance initially supported by many high-ranking officials of the Nationalist government. Comparatively speaking, Chiang Kai-shek was quite unique in the Nationalist government with his resolute refusal of peace negotiation with Japan and his confidence in the final victory of China. The positive signals from the ” Kōa Hall Secret Agreement” further reinforced Wang’s determination to negotiate with Japan. However, Japan was disappointed by the fact that Wang’s betrayal and surrender did not lead to the collapse of Chiang’s government. Japan also did not want to empower Wang’s regime. Prof. Kuo pointed out that Japan’s “Wang Jingwei policy” kept changing because of the conflict between the government and the military establishment, and also because of the internal conflict within the military establishment (the Chief of Staff, the Army and the Navy). Consequently, Japan revised the Kōa Hall Secret Agreement, rendering Wang’s regime a genuine puppet regime. On the other hand, Wang certainly did not have the ability to change Japan’s “Wang Jingwei policy”, neither did he opt out of politics even though he had the chance. In the end, Wang became a genuine puppet of Japan, and ended up in disgrace. Prof. Kuo further analyzed the power dynamics between Wang and Chiang, their differing views on Japan and the war effort, and Wang’s personality, particularly his martyr complex. Prof. Kuo delivered the lecture in a lively and humorous manner, bringing historical events to life for the audience. Additionally, her portrayal of Wang as an emotional figure prone to tears added an intriguing and engaging dimension to the historical narrative.

World History Seminar (2024-25)

Organizer: Centre for Comparative and Public History, Department of History, CUHK
Enquiry: 3943 8541

Public Lectures on History and Business in China 2024-25

Public Lectures on History and Business in China 2024-25 will be held in March 2025. Professor Elisabeth KÖLL, William Payden Collegiate Chair; Department Chair and Professor of Department of History, University of Notre Dame, has been invited as the guest speaker to deliver two public lectures.

Lectures will be conducted in English.

Admission is free; reservation is required. To reserve a seat, please
– Register online at www.history.cuhk.edu.hk/2025_HBC  
– Call at 3943 8541

For more information, please visit www.history.cuhk.edu.hk/2025_HBC/ or www.hkpl.gov.hk

Organisers: Department of History, CUHK; Centre for Comparative and Public History, Department of History, CUHK; M.A. Programme in Comparative and Public History, Department of History, CUHK; Hong Kong Public Libraries, Leisure and Cultural Services Department

Sponsor: Eminence History Department Fund, CUHK

For teachers and students who have information to share with the Department, please email your articles in both Chinese and English to chanfiona@cuhk.edu.hk by 4:00pm every Monday.