Download ABSTRACT Austro-Hungarian Activities in China, 1894–1914 PhDr

ABSTRACT
Austro-Hungarian Activities in China, 1894–1914
PhDr. Jan Kočvar
My Ph.D. thesis evaluates Austro-Hungarian activities in China between
1894 and 1914, especially their political aspects. I would like to explain the
nature of Austro-Hungarian contacts with China and their significance for the
Dual Monarchy. The main source for my thesis was constituted by the materials
in Haus-, Hof- und Staatsarchiv in Vienna.
Austria-Hungary concluded diplomatic relations with China in 1869, but
her position in China remained weak. After the Sino-Japanese War, the Far East
became a focus of interest of the Great Powers, and in 1896 was appointed the
first Austro-Hungarian Minister to China. During the Scramble for Concessions
in late nineties, Austro-Hungarian navy conducted survey of Chinese littoral and
contemplated an establishment of a naval base in China, but finally rejected this
idea. Austro-Hungarian trade and other interests in China were too insignificant
to justify such an action. The peak of Austro-Hungarian presence is connected
with the Boxer Uprising of 1900. Austria-Hungary didn’t contribute to its
genesis. During the uprising, Austro-Hungarian sailors were fighting in besieged
Legation Quarter in Beijing, as well as in the metropolitan province of Zhili.
Thereafter, Austro-Hungarian diplomacy took part on negotiating the terms with
China. Austria-Hungary acquired a concession in Tianjin. The main significance
of the Far East for Vienna laid in the fact that Far Eastern questions diverted
Russian attention from Austro-Hungarian sphere of interest in the Balkans.
Austro-Hungarian policy in China didn’t deteriorate the relationship between
Vienna and other Great Powers. In 1911, the Xinhai Revolution erupted, and
soon thereafter, the Republic of China was established. Austria-Hungary calmly
observed these events and didn’t attempt to save the Qing Dynasty. AustroHungarian trade with China was insignificant. The new regime and AustroHungarian armament works concluded several big contracts. This hinted that
there was a potential for growth of commercial relations. But Austro-Hungarian
presence in China was terminated by the First World War, and in 1917, China
declared war on Austria-Hungary. Generally speaking, Austro-Hungarian policy
in China had a moderate nature due to the low significance of the area for
Vienna. Austria-Hungary didn’t cause any of the catastrophes which were
molesting China.
Key words: Austria-Hungary, China, Manchu Dynasty, imperialism, Scramble
for concessions and spheres of influence, Boxer Rebellion, Chinese Revolution,
1911, First World War
PhDr. Jan Kočvar (born 1982) studied history at the Faculty of Arts of Charles
University in Prague. He is employed in the Military History Institute in Prague,
and had published several articles on modern Far Eastern history.