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. Austro- Hungarian trade with China was insignificant. The new regime and Austro- Hungarian 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.