2023, Vol., No.36

Journal of Manchurian Studies 2023 KCI Impact Factor : 0.33

pISSN : 1738-3668
https://journal.kci.go.kr/manchuria

This paper examines the diplomatic mission of Kui Sioi during the the forty- second year of Emperor Kangxi’s prolific reign of China, analyzing its significance in momentarily reconfiguring Joseon-Qing relations. In his diplomatic efforts, Kui Sioi used his deep understanding of Chinese scholarly traditions and leveraged networks within influential circles, such as the Mingju family of the Kangxi court and the elite strata of Han Chinese literati. His presentation of the emperor’s calligraphy as a strategic act, crafted as a nuanced but effective expression of cultural diplomacy. The study reveals how this mission, imbued with Kui Sioi’s strategic use of Confucian rhetoric, effectively served as a means of temporarily incorporate Joseon into the broader cultural realm, marking a departure from the exclusionary policies that had been practiced since the Qing invasion of 1637. However, Kui Sioi’s efforts proved to be fleeting, as the subsequent Yongzheng reign resumed the exclusion of Joseon from this shared cultural sphere. In essence, this paper highlights the intricate interplay between culture and philosophy while revealing the complexities emblematic of Joseon-Qing political relations during this period, illustrating the role of culture and rhetorical strategies in diplomatic engagements.

This paper explores the Chinese Eastern Railway (CER), a significant Russian national railway constructed in ‘foreign’ territory, and its impact on Russian perceptions of Manchuria from 1894 to 1904. Originating as an idea in political circles in Manchuria, the CER ignited intense debates within the Russian tsar government regarding its territorial identity and Manchuria-Russia relations. At the heart of to these debates were two clashing viewpoints: the “Manchurian Division” and the “Annexation of Manchuria,” The former perspective advocated for Russia’s viewing of Manchuria as an extension of Siberia, a notion that divided Manchuria into northern and southern halves, with key ports like Lushun and Dalian potentially falling under Qing dynasty rule in the South, while the North would come under Russian control. The latter viewpoint, however, argued for Manchuria to be wholly absorbed into Russian territory. This study delves into the Russian government’s evolving perceptions and strategic recalibrations during these debates, with a special focus on the transformative impact of the outbreak of the Russo-Japanese War and the subsequent alterations in Russia’s viewpoints towards Manchuria in the context of the CER’s construction.

This paper investigates the relationship between the resource development strategies of Fengtian warlords(奉天軍閥) and the rulers of Manchuria in the 1920s. Amidst an epoch marked by heightened competition between the Qing dynasty, Russia, and Japan, the fervor surrounding the the coveted mining and forests assets in the Manchuria grew. Crafting an autonomous stronghold during Russia and Japan’s military campaigns into Manchuria, the Fengtian warlords strategically maneuvered to optimize the exploitation of the country’s rich mines and lush forests, amplifying their dominion over resources within the region. Even despite the constraints of Russian and Japanese influences in the country, the warlords exhibited remarkable resilience, adopting a pro-China collaborative approach that championed Chinese interests, notable in projects such as the Benxihu Coal Mine project (本溪湖炭鑛/煤鑛). Such thoughtfully calibrated strategies culminated in the acquisition of control over the Yalu and Sunghua River basins and forests, cultivating in the 1928 Forest Ordinance (森林條例). In essence, the Fengtian warlords’ concerted efforts were instrumental catalyzing the emergence of contemporary Manchurian communities and industrial cities, exemplified in areas like the Benxihu (本溪湖) Lake and Heilongjiang’s Hegang (鶴崗). The Fengtian warlords thus emerged as quintessential architects in the transformative evolution of modern Manchuria.