NPM exhibition documents rise of modern China

2014-10-21

A special exhibition of diplomatic credentials from the Qing dynasty (1644-1911) is being staged at Taipei City-based National Palace Museum, bearing witness to the political landscape more than a century ago.

Running until Jan. 11, 2015, “Diplomatic Credentials Failed to Deliver” features two official documents from Qing Emperor Guangxu to the heads of the British empire and French republic in 1905.

According to NPM Director Fung Ming-chu, faced with political upheaval on the domestic front, the ruler of the Qing dynasty attempted to calm the waters and stave off collapse of his empire with political reform.

“In the hope of creating China’s first constitution, Guangxu intended to send five high-ranking officials to Japan and eight countries in the West to study constitutional politics with official documents detailing missions of these diplomatic visits,” Fung said.

“Fearing a constitutional monarchy would kill off true democracy, revolutionary Wu Yue derailed the mission by staging a suicide bomb attack in Zhengyangmen East Railway Station.”

In addition to the two documents, another intended for Belgium is in Beijing-based First Historical Archives of China, while six others are missing.

“The documents are testament to the decline of the constitutional monarchy and the rise of democracy in China, they are also precious pieces of artwork,” Fung said.

Written in Chinese characters and Manchurian text, the documents include a cover featuring an elegantly embroidered dragon, the classic symbol of Chinese emperors reflecting the majesty of the ancient dynasty.

As part of the exhibition, the NPM launched a 23-minute documentary Oct. 16, along with a dedicated website and four interactive apps enabling users to learn more about imperial China.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=223013&CtNode=413)