Timothy Richard's View Of China (1891-1911)

Timothy Richard's views on China was increasingly sophisticated between 1891 and 1911.His views were influenced both by the changes in the Chinese social situation and Colonialism,and by his missionary experience throughout China and his interaction with the Chinese People.This article,mainly is divided six parts to discuss Timothy Richard's views on China.Firstly,Through the analysis of Timothy Richard and gowth of early life experiences,to explore the form of his personality.Then simply combed his early activities in China,analyzed his impressions of the Chinese.These situations are the foundation for a further study to Timothy Richard's views on China.Secondly,It mainly elaborated the attitude of the Chinese culture.Through analyzing Timothy Richard on the understanding of Chinese and Western cultures,trend of Chinese culture,and his views on Confucianism,Buddhism,Taoism.These show him on the Chinese culture to respect and accommodate.The third part analyzes Timothy Richard's views about China's reform.Early missionary experience and the Disaster Relief experience,Timothy Richard produced Chinese ideas of reform.Timothy Richard's views on the reform were mainly embodied in learning from the West,step-by-step reform,peaceful co-existence between China and foreign countries,etc.He put the idea of reform to the reformers of education,and participated in the Restoration Reform, but reformers impatient for success and lack of experience led to the failure of reform.Timothy Richard proposed system reform theory.However,due to he was unable to shake off the conflict parties and Spectators,led to his limitations.The fourth part mainly studies Timothy Richard's views on foreign.He criticized China's diplomatic activities,promoted China alliance with the United Kingdom,his thoughts had a major impact on the Qing government.Through these studies have proved Timothy Richard of the colonial characteristics of the diplomatic point of view.The fifth part discussed Timothy Richard as a missionary the contribution of the religious, analyzed of his views on religious conflicts.Through Timothy Richard dealt with the adoption of religious conflict in Shah xi embodied his spirit of religion return good for evil.The sixth part expressed his view on the current situation of the early 20th Century. Through his views on the china's XinZheng Reform,especially education reform,the efforts of peace,exchange with Sun Zhong Shah showed his views on reform and revolution.In conclusion,Timothy Richard' s views on China reflected those Chinese things he saw.His views changed with China's own reform and changes.