Jews And Chinese

The dissertation consists of a preface, six chapters and an acknowledgement, appended with a bibliography and material resources.In the Preface, the author mainly introduces the purpose and significance of choosing this topic, and theoretically summarizes the key issues discussed in the dissertation and their academic value.In Chapter 1 (Introduction), the author briefly investigates Jews coming to ancient China and the Kaifeng Jewish Community, providing a historical background and a basis for the main subject on Jews coming to China after 1840 and Sino-Jewish relationship. The investigation mainly focuses on the following five aspects: the earliest time of Jews coming to ancient China and their settlements in China, where did Kaifeng Jews come from; the prosperity of Kaifeng Jewish community and its Confucianization, the decline of Kaifeng Jewish Community and the assimilation of Kaifeng Jews, and fundamental causes of the assimilation of Kaifeng Jews.Chapter 2 focuses on Jews coming to China after 1840. Why and how did they come to China, how were Jewish communities and settlements in different places in China formed. The author divided the process of Jews coming to China after 1840 into three waves, i.e. Sephardic Jews coming to do business in China in the second half of 19th century, Russian Jews coming to make a living in China at the end of 19th century and the beginning of 20th century, and European Jews seeking refuge in China 1933-1941. The rising of Sephardic Jewish business groups in Hong Kong and Shanghai resulted in the formation and development of Jewish communities in the two cities; Russian Jews escaping anti-Semitism and making a living in China caused the formation of Harbin and Tianjing Jewish communities and several other Jewish settlements in Northeast and North China. As to Jewish refugees from Nazi-ruled Europe, the author has made a deeper exploration on the following aspects: why did Shanghai become an ideal haven for Jewish refugees; routes, time of arrival and number of Jewish refugees coming to Shanghai and their living arrangements; Nazi's "Final Solution in Shanghai" put forwarded by Colonel Josef Meisinger and the " Designated Area for Stateless Refugees" proclaimed by Japanese authorities; the Shanghai Jewish Refugee Community; and the causes of Jewish refugee survival in Shanghai.Chapter 3 is a specific study on Jewish Community in Shanghai. Shanghai Jewish Community consists of Sephardic Jews, Russian Jews and European Jewish refugees. It was the largest and most representative Jewish community in China, by studying which we can find many common features. On economics, Shanghai Jewish business group is investigated on seven aspects: export and import trade, real estate,finance, industry, transportation-warehousing-public facilities, commerce and entertainment, its influence on Shanghai and China. Politically, the Zionist Movement in Shanghai and the relationship between Shanghai Jews and Chinese politics are studied, while how Shanghai Jews took an active role in the anti-Fascism movement is studied in Chapter 4. Culturally, four aspects are investigated: the educational and hygienic activities of Shanghai Jews, newspapers, magazines and radio stations run by them, their recreational activities, and the influence of Jewish cultural activities on cultural live in Shanghai. The author summarizes several features of the "Shanghai Case": actively conducting political activities in an environment without anti-Semitism, maintaining a good relationship with Chinese, keeping close contacts with outside Jewish communities, having strong economic power, and baring high cultural accomplish.Chapter 4 focuses on the Sino-Jewish relations within China in modern time. Firstly the Chinese perspective on Jews is explored on three aspects: Chinese perspective on Jews in the late Qing Dynasty and the early ROC; Chinese view on anti-Semitism; and Zionism through Chinese eyes. Secondly, Sino-Jewish cultural melting in China including Jewish perspective on Chinese culture is stu...