Luo Xianxiang
Luo Xianxiang in 1962
Native name
羅獻祥 (Law Hin-Cheung)
Nickname(s)次黎
Born1890
Sihui, Guangdong Province, Great Qing
Died1968
British Hong Kong
AllegianceRepublic of China
Service/branchNational Revolutionary Army
Years of service1916–1949, including services at regional/local government
RankGeneral
Spouse(s)羅歐慧蓮 Luo Ou Huilian / Law Au Wailin
m. 1892?–1952?
羅夫人 m. 1893?–1921?
Children5

Luo Xianxiang (Chinese: 羅獻祥;[1][2] Mandarin: Luo Xianxiang; Cantonese: Law Hin-Cheung) (1890–1968) was a World War II Chinese general who served in the army of Chen Jiongming. He was a soldier, and at times, a regional government official. He established anti-corruption policies and conducted administrative and education reforms.[3][4]

He was born in Sihui, Guangdong Province, and his native tongue was Cantonese. He fought against the Japanese and helped drive them out. During the Chinese Civil War, he fought on the side of the Kuomintang. When the Communists under Mao Zedong won and took over mainland China, Luo fled to Hong Kong, where he lived the rest of his life.

Name

Luo was given the name Xianxiang (獻祥), literally meaning "dedication and harmony". He devoted his life to harmony. As in the tradition dated back to Confucius’ time, when Luo Xianxiang became of age, his name was added into the Law clan registry,[2] and at the same time, he was given a second name 次黎.[1] While this second name literally meant "second to the peasants", for him, it meant to serve his country with humility.

Early years

Luo Xianxiang was born in Guangdong during the late Qing dynasty and was the second of six children. Luo was from a family of scholars, and his parents were well off, landed gentry. His father was a scholar from the Qing Dynasty and opened a primary school for the local children, which Luo attended for his initial schooling. Later, his father left to work as an educator in Foshan (佛山) for many years. The family's experience and connection to education were instrumental to Luo's later successes in education and other reforms. In 1908, Luo enrolled in the Guangdong Army Primary School,[5][6] followed by Nanjing Army Middle School, to graduation in June 1916, from the Baoding Military Academy-Cavalry Division.[7]

Upon graduation, he was commissioned to serve under Chen Jiongming, the Governor and General of the Guangdong Army.[8]

During this time, the establishment of the Republic of China was far from complete, with many generals and warlords fighting either for self interests or for their ideals of forming a Democratic Republic. In the south, the armies were loosely united under Sun Yat Sen.[9]

In 1918, Luo was appointed Adjutant Commander for the fourth Guangdong Army, head of the 17th command.[10] In 1920, he was Brigade Commander[11] of the Independent third Army.[12]

June 16, 1922 Incident

To unite China under one central government, the southern armies needed to defeat the northern armies. However, on-going warfare amongst the different factions, between the northern and the Guangdong or southern armies, led to great casualties and misery among the civilians.[13][14]

Within the southern armies, there were serious discords amongst the generals, Sun Yat Sen, and those who supported him. Of all the differing factors, a couple stood out. For example, Sun Yat Sen believed in a centralized government and mandated that all generals must pledge allegiance to him. This request was counter to the idea of democracy. Thus, many generals balked in taking part. This included Guangdong Governor and Commander in Chief Chen Jiongming who wanted to implement a federalist type of governance with Guangdong as a model province. In Guangdong, when he was in control, he established policies against corruption, nepotism, championed woman's rights, banned and burned heroin. Some reforms were eventually abolished after Sun gained control of Guangdong in 1925.

In April 1922, Chen Jiongming was discharged when he refused to embark on a “Northern Expedition”, Sun's attempt to defeat the Northern Army in order to unite the country.[15] On June 16, 1922, unable to accept Sun Yat Sen's leadership, Chen Jiongming's subordinate Yip Ku (葉舉 Ye Ju) ordered the arrest of Sun Yat Sen.[16] Luo was tasked to carry out this order.[17][18] However, the plan was leaked and Sun escaped to Yongfeng warship (永豐艦), from where Sun rallied his base.[16] In history, this was known as 6.16 Incident.[17] After Sun's departure, Chen Jiongming returned to govern Guangdong Province.

Meanwhile, Sun sent for Chiang Kai-shek to join him in the struggle. The 16 June Incident propelled Chiang Kai-shek to prominence and power within the Kuomintang (KMT) of China. On January 4, 1923, Sun waged war against Guangdong where Chen was based. With the help from two armies, Sun was able to attack Chen from the east and from the west. On January 15, Chen left Guangdong, relocating to Huizhou / Waizhou (惠州) where he stayed. On February 21, Sun returned to Guangzhou, and from May 28, 1923, to October 27, Sun's forces attacked Waizhou without any conclusive results. By 1924, Chen's armies were able to resist the invading forces, and both sides fought to a standstill. As a Brigade Commander, Luo fought in these conflicts on the side of Chen's Guangdong Army.[18]

In 1924, Sun Yat Sen bombed Guangzhou, Seikwan District (广州西关屠城事件) causing massive destruction of properties and civilian lives.[14] From the cruelty exhibited in this Guangzhou Seikwan Incident, the people of Guangdong supported Chen Jiongming, who was in the process of planning counterattacks. However, Sun had accepted Russian aid, the same aid which he had refused on grounds that he did not want to be beholden to a communist country. Further, Sun had joined forces with the Chinese communists, who were gaining strength. With more advance munitions, Sun's army together with the communist forces, under Chiang Kai-shek gained the upper hand.

Towards the end of 1925, with the participation of Russia and Chinese communists, Sun was victorious. Chen escaped and spent his remaining years in Hong Kong. Chen's army was disbanded and absorbed into Chiang's forces.[19]

1925 to 1939

From 1925 – 1928, Luo was Regiment Commander for the 14th Army and the Guangdong Police and Defense Regiments in Chiang's army,[20] where he suppressed militant gangs, bringing law and order to the region.[21]

In April 1928, Luo was Police Commissioner for Nanhi County (南海县).[22]

With the unification of the south, the KMT's Republic of China was established on July 1, 1925, in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, four months after Sun Yat-Sen's death, in March of that same year.

Luo was appointed Special Envoy and Chief Inspector for Guangdong Province in April 1930.[23] By 1932, Luo became County Magistrate for Yangshan (陽山), and years later, Luo was the Mayor of Shantou (汕头市长).

With the start of the Japanese invasion in 1937, China needed new armies. This led to the massing of armed forces in a hurry. During this time and through 1938, Luo was in Guangdong carrying out reforms in education, administration, law, and political affairs. In 1939, Luo returned to active duty, joined the 12th Army Group as senior officer.[22]

The 66th Army

In 1937 January, with the Japanese invasion in earnest, the 66th Army was formed by incorporating the 159th and 160th Divisions. Yip Sui (葉肇) and Division Commander, Chan Kai (陈骥) led the 66th Army with distinction. The 66th army participated in the Battle of Wuhan in 1938.[24][25] Holding out for ten months in bitter defensive warfare with heavy casualties, the Chinese forces were able to inflict unacceptable losses to the Japanese, ending with a strategic victory. Later in 1938, the 66th Army engaged the enemies in two fronts. The 160th Division won the Battle of Kamlunfan (金輪峰 Jinlunfeng) while the 159th Division won the Battle of Wanjialing.[26]

On November 15, 1939, Japanese forces landed on Yimzhouwan (欽州灣 Qinzhouwan). By November 24, the Japanese invaded Nan-ning (南寧). As the Chinese Army was spread over a few fronts, the 66th Army was summoned to defend Kunlunkwan (昆仑关). At the time, the 66th Army was in the process of reformation due to heavy losses from prior battles, and did not have sufficient manpower to staff the divisions. So, in December 1939, Yip Sui from Divisional Headquarters, borrowed Luo Xianxiang from the 12th Army Group, to be the Senior Advisor and Chief of Staff for the 159th Division.[27][28][29]

However, due to lack of coordination and miscommunications, the 66th was unable to hold Kunlunkwan (昆仑关).[30][31][32] This defeat led to the demotions of two generals and court martial for a couple of brigade commanders. The 66th was reconstituted and continued to actively participate in driving the Japanese out of China and Southeast Asia. This KMT army lasted until 1949 when the Communists overran the Republic of China of Chiang Kai-shek, who retreated to Taiwan.[33][34][35][36][37]

Post-1940

After a brief stint with the 66th in 1939, Luo Xianxiang returned to Guangdong in 1940 to become the Senior Advisor of the #7 war zone. In 1942, Guangdong #4 Administrative Zone Special Envoy Chan Kai (陈骥) was reassigned. Luo Xianxiang assumed the post as Special Envoy and Chief Commander for Security of the 4th Administrative Zone in Guangdong, where he initiated and successfully completed major administration reforms. Later, Luo was Special Administrative Commissioner and Security Commander for the 10th Administrative Zone, Guangdong Province.[38][39][40]

Japanese surrender in Guangdong

In 1944 June, Luo Xianxiang was appointed Divisional Commander of Wailun District (惠龍師官區). On September 11, 1945, Lui Pei-Nan (缪培南 Liao Peinan) accompanied by Luo Xianxiang and others accepted the unconditional surrender from the Japanese in Guangdong. After serving as Special Commissioner for the 10th Administration Zone, Guangdong Province, Luo Xianxiang retired in 1946.[41]

During this time, the civil war between Kuomintang and the Communists Party, later known as the Republic of China and the People's Republic of China, respectively, continued unabated.

Defeat of Kuomintang

By 1949 October, the People's Republic of China Communists army took Guangzhou. Even though at the time Luo Xianxiang was the County Chief of Sihui (四會縣縣長),[39] he was a retired General of the Republic of China, who in earlier years was commended for routing the communists,[42][43] so the communists wanted to capture him.

When the communists continued to march on to win territory after territory, Luo Xianxiang left for Hong Kong, where he lived a spartan, quiet life. He died of illness in 1968 at the age of 78.

Obituary and eulogy

Law Hin-Cheung (Luo Xianxiang) Passed Away.

Funeral Services and Cremation took place yesterday.

Former General and Special Envoy to Guangdong Province, China, Mr. Law Hin-Cheung, died from illness at 3 pm on 20th October, 1968 at 80 years* of age. Funeral services and viewing were held at Kowloon Funeral Parlor (Kowloon, Hong Kong). After viewing and funeral service, his body was moved to Diamond Hill Crematorium for immediate cremation. A few hundred of his former colleagues, senior officials who had served with him in China, local politicians, dignitaries, subordinates, friends and family came to salute and to pay final tribute to a man who was well known to be principled; a man who served his country with loyalty, integrity, honesty and honor. His passing was acutely felt and mourned by those who knew, respected and loved him.

— Translated by CHHistory, 1968 Chinese Daily Newspaper, Hong Kong
  • In Chinese tradition, one year was added to the year of birth, and to the year of death, thus resulting age became 80, as reported in the newspaper.

References

  • The text in the article uses traditional Chinese characters. Many references below use simplified characters. Depending on how the string of Chinese characters is put together, the meaning can be quite different. Post 1950, to speed up the education of the masses, People's Republic of China has implemented a set of over 2,300 Simplified Chinese characters. This is a version with fewer stokes per character, taken from the entire pool of the more complex tradition Chinese characters. The easier to learn simplified version covered the needs for written communication in the daily life of the general public.

Footnotes

  1. 1 2 Liu Guoming (刘国铭), Huang Puming (黄普明), ed. (2005). 中国国民党百年人物全书, Volume 2. 团结出版社. p. 1568. ISBN 9787802140394. Retrieved 7 October 2012.
  2. 1 2 Luo family genealogy ("罗氏通谱网")
  3. ↑ Luo Rongchang (罗荣昌) (1992). 广州文史. 中国人民政治协商会议广州市委员会. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
  4. ↑ Gong Zhiliu (龚志鎏). 广州文史. 中国人民政治协商会议广州市委员会. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
  5. ↑ "从广东实学馆到黄埔军校广东革命历史博物馆". Archived from the original on 2013-01-16. Retrieved 2012-10-03.
  6. ↑ Guo Fengming (郭鳳明) (1978). 清末民初陸軍學校教育. 嘉新水泥公司文化基金會. p. 36. Retrieved 11 October 2012.
  7. ↑ 保定陆军军官学校. 河北人民出版社. 1987. p. 306. Retrieved 12 October 2012.
  8. ↑ Chen Jiongming and the Federalist Movement: Regional Leadership and Nation Building in Early Republican China. Center for Chinese Studies, The University of Michigan. 2000. p. 365 in total. ISBN 978-0892641352.
  9. ↑ 丁旭光 (1999). 孙中山与近代广东社会. 广东人民出版社. pp. 317–363. ISBN 978-7-218-02896-5. Retrieved 11 October 2012.
  10. ↑ 中華國史館 (ed.). Academic Historica中華民國重要史事. Retrieved 7 October 2012.
  11. ↑ 中國國民黨.黨史史料編纂委員會 (1970). 革命文獻. 中國國民黨黨史史料編纂委員會. pp. Volume 52. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
  12. ↑ 李烈鈞; 中國國民黨. 黨史委員會 (1981). 李烈鈞先生文集. 該會. pp. 514 in length. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
  13. ↑ 沈剛伯; 国立台湾大学历史学系 (1998). 史學: 傳承與變遷學術研討會論文集. 國立臺灣大學歷史學系. p. 335. ISBN 978-957-02-1683-7. Retrieved 11 October 2012.
  14. 1 2 傳記文學. 傳記文學雜誌社 Volume 64. 1994. pp. 2–6. Retrieved 11 October 2012.
  15. ↑ Duan Yunzhang (段云章); Shen Xiaomin (沈晓敏) (2006). 历有争议的陈炯明. 中山大学出版社. pp. 43–49, 360. ISBN 978-7-306-02715-3. Retrieved 11 October 2012.
  16. 1 2 國立政治大學. 歷史學系; 國立政治大學. 歷史硏究所 (1995). 歷史學報. 國立政治大學歷史學系 Issue 12. pp. 131–134. Retrieved 11 October 2012.
  17. 1 2 广东省政协.文史资料硏究委员会 (1990). 粤军史实纪要. 广东人民出版社. p. 181. ISBN 978-7-218-00324-5. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
  18. 1 2 广东党史通讯. 《广东党史通讯》编辑部. 1989. p. 39. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
  19. ↑ Chen Dingyan (陳定炎); Gao Zonglu (高宗魯) (1997). 一宗現代史實大翻案: 陳炯明與孫中山、蔣介石的恩怨真相. Berlind Investment Limited. pp. 19–24. ISBN 978-962-8390-01-4. Retrieved 11 October 2012.
  20. ↑ Wang Meijia (王美嘉); 广东省档案馆 (1987). 民国时期广东省政府档案史料选编. 广东省档案馆. p. 459. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
  21. ↑ 孙道昌; 中央档案馆; 广东省档案馆 (1982). 广东革命历史文件彙集. 中央党案馆. pp. 107–110, Vol. 54. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
  22. 1 2 李北翔 (1991). 佛山军分区军事志编写组编. p. 32. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
  23. ↑ 中華國史館 (ed.). 中華民國重要史事. 中華國史館. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
  24. ↑ James Chieh Hsiung (1992). China's Bitter Victory: The War With Japan, 1937-1945. M.E. Sharpe. ISBN 978-1-56324-246-5. Retrieved 12 October 2012.
  25. ↑ Stephen R. MacKinnon (21 May 2008). Wuhan, 1938: War, Refugees, and the Making of Modern China. University of California Press. pp. 31–. ISBN 978-0-520-25445-9. Retrieved 12 October 2012.
  26. ↑ "Battle of Wuhan".
  27. ↑ Chen Jinfu (陈锦富). 广州文史. Vol. 48. 中国人民政治协商会议广州市委员会. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
  28. ↑ 广东省政协. 文史资料研究委员会 (1987). 文史資料選輯. 政协广东省委员会. p. 209. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
  29. ↑ 黎天荣. 广州文史. Vol. 63. 中国人民政治协商会议广州市委员会. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
  30. ↑ Chen Peijun (陈培军); Zhong Qing'an (钟庆安) (2006). 缅甸泥潭. 海南出版社. p. 13. ISBN 978-7-5443-0985-1. Retrieved 11 October 2012.
  31. ↑ 全国十四所重点中学《历史教学》编辑部; 历史学習编委会历史学習编辑部 (1994). 歷史學習. 历史教学社. p. 24. Retrieved 11 October 2012.
  32. ↑ 章伯锋; 庄建平; 中囯史学会 (1997). 抗日战爭. Vol. 2, Part 2. 四川大学出版社. p. 1161. ISBN 9787561415337. Retrieved 11 October 2012.
  33. ↑ 贵州省地方志编纂委员会 (1995). 贵州省志: 军事志. 贵州人民出版社. p. 107. ISBN 9787221039033. Retrieved 11 October 2012.
  34. ↑ 李良志; 陈之中 (1997). 中国抗日战争大辞典. 北京燕山出版社. pp. 439–524. ISBN 9787540209377. Retrieved 11 October 2012.
  35. ↑ Yang Kelin (楊克林); Cao Hong (曹紅) (1992). 中國抗日戰爭圖誌. 天地圖書有限公司. pp. Volume 2. Retrieved 11 October 2012.
  36. ↑ Luo Pinghan (罗平汉); Wang Xutian (王续添) (2001). 桂系军阀. 中共党史出版社. pp. 258–259. ISBN 978-7-80136-504-0. Retrieved 11 October 2012.
  37. ↑ 中国人民革命军事博物馆 (1996). 军事史林. 军事史林杂志社. p. 29. Retrieved 11 October 2012.
  38. ↑ 民国广东大事记. 羊城晚报出版社. 2002. p. 721. ISBN 978-7-80651-206-7. Retrieved 9 October 2012.
  39. 1 2 广东省档案馆 (1995). 民国广东政府机构沿革及组织法规选编, 1911-1949. 广东省档案馆. p. 51. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
  40. ↑ 广东地方誌. 广东地方誌编写组编. 2012. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
  41. ↑ http://www.gzminge.org.cn/gzminge/News.shtml?p5=112951
  42. ↑ 民国广东大事记 (in Chinese). 羊城晚报出版社. 2002. ISBN 9787806512067.
  43. ↑ 羊城晚报出版社, ed. (2002). 民国广东大事记. 羊城晚报出版社. p. 892. ISBN 9787806512067. Retrieved 7 October 2012.
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