Historians of the World Wars recognize the importance of the Asian nations, but not as participants in Europe. In particular Europe during WWI is defined by trench warfare. However, unknown to many the Chinese Labour Corps provided the manpower to dig the actual trenches for the allied side. Even though China began the war neutral by 1917 they declared war on Germany (exactly 100 years ago) and solidified their alliance with Britain and France.
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| Chinese entertain British troops in France. Dragons ready for the Dragon fight. Photo: National Library of Scotland |
The University of Oxford created a website called World War I Centenary with the focus on new directions in teaching the Great War. The article Eastern Culture on the Western Front written by Dr. Matthew Leonard goes in depth on the role of the Chinese Labour Corps.
China's WWI is an amazing resource by The South China Morning Post. Photos, artifacts, and news articles are included that give a global view of the Great War that the western world often ignores when writing history.
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