18th Century China and the World (Military Volume)

Author: Dai Yi
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1999-06-01
Features: "In China, military positions formed their own system and operated in parallel with civilian positions. Military officers were divided into three ranks, the same as civilian officials. Military positions were divided into nine levels, forming a large-scale military structure. In China's military affairs, there was one general, whose functions were similar to those of a European general. Below the general were provincial military officers, equivalent to our medium and junior generals. Under the provincial military officers were officers, equivalent to our field-grade officers, who led various officials, and their military ranks were equivalent to lieutenants, first lieutenants, and second lieutenants. China's navy was not important and was often disregarded. Since China had no formidable neighbors along its coast and had limited foreign trade, there was no need for a navy to defend or protect commercial shipping—the burden of escorting was too great. However, they occasionally had a considerable naval force, but the strength and construction of their ships were not modernized—they were inferior to the ships of current European coastal countries. China made no progress in maritime affairs. It is evident that in Quesnay's records, there is a mix of correct and incorrect content. When the author described the military strength of 18th-century China, he confused the military position systems of the Ming and Qing dynasties. Because the Five Military Commanderies and the War Government were both Ming systems, yet over time, by the 18th century, China's military situation had undergone profound changes. With a vast distance separating China from the West, the lag in information about China's military situation in the West led to long-term misinformation and misunderstandings."