Hsu Chung-mao

Hsu Chung-mao

Historical photo collector, author

Hsu Chung-mao has been a journalist for 20 years. He has been at the frontline in covering the Iraq-Palestine conflict, the US’ bombing of Libya, and the civil wars in El Salvador and Nicaragua. He is currently the head of Nueva Vision Co, Ltd (新世语文化有限公司), and his published works are branded under the Hsu Chung Mao Studio (徐宗懋图文馆) in Taiwan and Qin Feng Studio (秦风老照片馆) in mainland China. In recent years, he has been collecting images of recent world history, to encourage civic education and cultural exploration, and to promote old photos as important first-hand material into recent history.

On 26 April 1947, the chief perpetrator of the Nanjing Massacre, Hisao Tani, was escorted to the execution ground at Yuhuatai by military police, where a large crowd of onlookers gathered. The next day, China’s Central Daily News (中央日报) reported: “At 11:30 am on 26 April, the defendant Hisao Tani was identified and taken to the Yuhuatai execution ground by the court, and executed by firing squad according to the law.”
History

[Photo story] The long road to justice against Japanese war criminals and collaborators

By Hsu Chung-mao 15 Sep 2023
Following Japan’s surrender at the end of the Second World War, the horrific military atrocities were brought to light as war criminals were put on trial. Historical photo collector Hsu Chung-mao provides descriptions and images of that period. This article may contain some visually disturbing images.
In the 1930s, despite the influence of the Japanese government’s assimilation policies, the local ethnic dances of Okinawa still retained some of their distinctive features.
History

[Photo story] How did Ryukyu issue become entangled in the China-US conflict?

By Hsu Chung-mao 04 Aug 2023
The recent visit of Okinawa governor Denny Tamaki to China has brought attention to the historical links between the ancient kingdom of Ryukyu (which included Okinawa) and China. Historical photo collector Hsu Chung-mao explains the connections and possible political developments.
Lin Liyun was an interpreter for Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai in the 1970s.
History

Lin Liyun: The legendary interpreter for Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai [Photo story]

By Hsu Chung-mao 23 Jun 2023
Lin Liyun was born in Taiwan, grew up in Japan, and eventually found herself in the company of none other than Chinese leaders Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai, as she interpreted for them at various events and occasions. Historical photo collector Hsu Chung-mao gathered Lin’s oral history, and now sets out her fascinating story.
In 1938, Germany produced a Japanese historical film depicting the Japanese monk Kukai (Kobo Daishi) travelling to Chang’an in the Tang Dynasty to study Buddhism and bringing it back to Japan.
History

[Photo story] From admirer to conquerer then equals: Japan's evolving relations with China over the centuries

By Hsu Chung-mao 09 Jun 2023
Relations between China and Japan have not been easy, especially given Japan’s history of invading China and colonising Taiwan. Historical photo collector Hsu Chung-mao gives us a look into that period of strife and struggle.
Near the end of the Qing dynasty, Sun Yat-sen and three of his friends were collectively known to the Manchu government as the Four Bandits (四大寇). The picture shows the four friends (from left) Yang Heling, Sun Yat-sen, Chen Shaobai, and You Lie, with Guan Jingliang standing behind. This photo was taken at the Hong Kong College of Medicine for Chinese (香港华人西医书院), established in 1887, now the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine at the University of Hong Kong.
History

[Photo story] Taiwan and the ROC: Same, yet different

By Hsu Chung-mao 28 Apr 2023
Taiwan’s current situation is the result of historical factors and developments, including Sun Yat-sen’s revolution and the ensuing rivalry between the Kuomintang and Chinese Communist Party. Historical photo collector Hsu Chung-mao re-examines that era with his collection of old pictures.
In 1914, after the Japanese army violently suppressed the resistance movement by the indigenous Taiwanese, they gathered the survivors and pointed their bayonets at their captives as instructed by the Japanese army photographer, facing the camera in a pose of victors.
History

[Photo story] The historical aftermath of Japan’s colonisation of Taiwan

By Hsu Chung-mao 31 Mar 2023
Japan’s colonisation of Taiwan after the First Sino-Japanese War is a chapter of history that the Chinese would rather forget, along with the pain and suffering that the Japanese inflicted on the people of China and Taiwan. Historical photo collector Hsu Chung-mao gives us an idea of that period.
On 29 June 1942, Madame Chiang Kai-shek was at a ceremony in Chongqing in recognition of the valour of the pilots of the Doolittle Raid, to boost the morale of the Allied forces.
History

[Photo story] The Doolittle Raid and the historical bonds between China and the US

By Hsu Chung-mao 03 Mar 2023
Historical photo collector Hsu Chung-mao recounts the details of the Doolittle Raid, named after US Lieutenant Colonel James Doolittle, which saw US and Chinese soldiers fighting together against the Japanese in their first and biggest joint action in WWII.
An illustration in Puck magazine describing China-US relations, 1880s. The US is depicted as Uncle Sam in an armoured vehicle loaded with equipment, facing a Chinese riding a dragon, with neither giving way.
History

[Photo story] The saga continues: 100 years of China-US relations

By Hsu Chung-mao 03 Feb 2023
For over a century, China and the US have been in a tug-of-war of sorts, involving economics, geopolitics, culture and values. Historical photo collector Hsu Chung-mao sums up 100 years of friendship and rivalry between arguably the two most powerful countries in the world at the moment.
In 1954, First Secretary of the CPSU Nikita Khrushchev visited China and had a good discussion with Chinese President Mao Zedong. This was when China-Soviet relations were at their closest. However, bilateral ties went downhill soon after.
History

[Photo story] 100 years of China-Russia relations

By Hsu Chung-mao 13 Jan 2023
Over the past century, China’s relations with the Soviet Union — and later Russia — have had its ups and downs. From early communist links and Soviet occupation of China, to today’s economic dealings, China’s leaders have navigated the tricky waters of history and geopolitics. Historical photo collector Hsu Chung-mao gives us a window into the past.