OTL, the republic of china was one of the latest additions to the entente, declaring war on Germany and Austria-Hungary in August 1917. By that point, both had seen most of their colonies in the area taken by the Japanese or British, though China did clear out Tientsin and Hankow. However, prior to the war, Germany had enjoyed good relations with the Chinese- afaik, better than the other European powers. Moreover, in 1916, the Japanese Empire issued the 21 and later 13 demands, which were aimed to render Northern China an effective colony of Japan due to their influence in Manchuria, Outer Mongolia, and their increased control over key industries and force japanese financiers and police on the republic. Now, OTL, Yuan Shikai haggled into the 13 demands and avoided war, but what if he failed and Japan declared war instead of that?
this would make Germany and China cobelligerants, at least in East Asia, but do Britain and France declare war? Britain might not be able to afford the indian or Malaysian troops in the area due to the small size of their own professional army in ww1, but could France sense a chance to expand french Indochina? Does this see the RoC collapse into warlordism sooner than OTL? what could that imply?
personally, i suspect that the CP would still lose, and Versailles would basically be unchanged. the obvious questions are what happens in East Asia? Does France carve the south and give Japan a free hand up north? I can't see America joining in this theater unless given no other choice, but does wilson take Japanese and French actions lying down? I don't see it.
this would make Germany and China cobelligerants, at least in East Asia, but do Britain and France declare war? Britain might not be able to afford the indian or Malaysian troops in the area due to the small size of their own professional army in ww1, but could France sense a chance to expand french Indochina? Does this see the RoC collapse into warlordism sooner than OTL? what could that imply?
personally, i suspect that the CP would still lose, and Versailles would basically be unchanged. the obvious questions are what happens in East Asia? Does France carve the south and give Japan a free hand up north? I can't see America joining in this theater unless given no other choice, but does wilson take Japanese and French actions lying down? I don't see it.