Chinese constitutionalist and revolutionist views on Chosǒn Korea: Based on liáng Qǐchāo and Zhāng Bǐnglín's reception of an Chunggǔn

Abstract

This article explores how Liang Qichao (1873-1929) and Zhang Binglin (1868-1936) received the assassination of Ito Hirobumi (1841-1909) by An Chunggunw (1879-1910) to further develop their discourse on Choson Korea. Since Liang and Zhang represent the two major strands of the Chinese modernization movement, the constitutionalists and the revolutionists respectively, an analysis of their views should shed some useful light upon the broader Chinese perspectives on this event. Did Liang and Zhang judge An's direct activism according to their specific political inclinations? How did they view the emergence of Japan as a new great power in Asia, and also its political leader, Ito? How did they perceive the Japanese-Korean relationship in terms of Chinese national interests? By considering, and hopefully answering, these questions, it becomes possible to present a more objective understanding of the Chinese viewpoint on An and Choson Korea than has hitherto been available.