History of Russian emigrants in Harbin

Author: Shi Fang
Publisher:
Publication Date: 2003-01-01
Features: The Opium War of 1840 and the invasion of Western powers led to significant changes in the nature of Chinese society; the Self-Strengthening Movement, aimed at "strengthening the country and enriching the people," initiated the historical steps of modernization in China; and the Sino-Japanese War of 1894 triggered the craze of imperial powers carving up China. Amidst this turbulent vortex of national ups and downs, the strategy of "alliance with Russia to restrain Japan" emerged, which consequently led to the construction of the Middle East Railway passing through Northeast China, with Harbin as its hub. From then on, a large number of Russian emigrants gradually left their homeland to come to Harbin, gathering in the "Harbin" (an area similar to a concession), where they began their lives as overseas expatriates.