Wandering Between People's Welfare and Democracy（《Dagongbao》Commentary on Political Reform Discourse 1927–1937）

Author: Ren Tong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-05-01
Features: Founded in 1902, the Ta Kung Pao, still published in Hong Kong today, is described as "the longest-lived, most influential, and most reputable newspaper in the history of Chinese journalism" (by Fang Hanqi), and "capable of encompassing the 20th century in China," being "an encyclopedic history of modern China" (by Ji Xianlin). The New Ta Kung Pao further established its distinctive character with its famous "Four Principles"—"not partisan, not for sale, not selfish, not blind"—as its editorial guidelines. This book examines the Ta Kung Pao's ideological direction and developmental trajectory during the period of 1927-1937, the era between the success of the Northern Expedition and the full outbreak of the War of Resistance. It uses this as a starting point to explore the pulse of political reformist thought in China, the heating up of social circumstances, and the subtle changes in public opinion during this time. For readers interested in mass communication or social history during the Republican era, it is an excellent and highly recommended work.