A minor nitpick that I'm sure most of those who are not familiar with Chinese romanisation are unaware of; your TL seems to mix both the Wade-Giles transliteration for names e.g; Chiang Kai-Shek, Wang Chun-Hui, Chang Po-Ling, etc. with the Pinyin ones such as Mao Zedong (Mao Tse-Tung in W&G), Gu Mengyu (Ku Mengyu in W&G), Li Zongren (Li Tsung-jen in W&G), etc. Now this bothers me a bit because pinyin was created as a standardised romanisation of Mandarin Chinese only after the communist's victory in the civil war in the 50's and as such its use over W&G was even seen as a political statement of support toward PRC instead of the more common W&G romanisation outside of China, up until the 70's. In a TL where the Nationalist won the war, I don't see them doing that; particularly as Zhou Youguang (or rendered as Chou Yu-kuang in this TL) as the leader of the project that created the pinyin system to replace the W&G system was a leftist with close connection with Zhou Enlai (Chou En-Lai).
沒有國民黨就沒有中國, Without the Kuomintang there would be no China, A Republic of China Story
- Thread starter CELTICEMPIRE
- Start date
I understand why it would bother people, and I thought about that before I wrote the TL. Ultimately, I decided to use a mix of both systems because I wanted to refer to characters by the names they are commonly associated with in the English speaking world. I also think that Pinyin is a much better romanization system because it generally more closely approximates what Mandarin actually sounds like. I will admit that my preference for Pinyin may come from having studied Chinese using Pinyin for years.
It's also very likely that if the Nationalists had won, they would have changed the romanization system to something more similar to Pinyin.
八, Mopping Up
In 1952, China held its second Legislative Yuan election. These elections were free in some areas and unfree in other areas. Nationalist soldiers often guarded polling places in Northern China. Officially, they were there to protect voters from Communist attacks or intimidation, but some reported that they were intimidated into voting for the Kuomintang candidate. The Kuomintang maintained its overwhelming majority as the Chinese Democratic Socialist Party and the China Youth Party won very few races. Sun Fo remained as President of the Legislative Yuan. Chiang Kai-shek was pleased by the results, as it meant that most of the Legislative Yuan would support his agenda. Chiang’s agenda in 1952 was still focused on suppressing the main Communist threat. However, the year would also see increased social spending and spending on infrastructure in order to rebuild the nation.
1952 would see the elimination of most Communist armies South of the Great Wall. Nationalist generals Tang Enbo and Ma Bufang engaged in a series of operations to mop up the remaining Communist forces in Central China. Some Communist guerillas fled into Western China, but they were defeated by Ma Bufang’s brother, Ma Buqing. By October, the only Communist forces South of the Great wall were small, irregular bands that posed no serious threat to the Chinese Army. In April Yan Xishan began his campaign against Communists in Suiyuan Province. There were few engagements, as the Communists retreated from battle against the vastly numerically superior Nationalist forces. 5,000 Communist soldiers fled into Mongolia. Li Mi led the Nationalist forces in Chahar Province, where events played out similarly to Suiyuan. At the same time, half a million soldiers were transferred to the Northeast, with more on the way. These troops helped guard the border with North Korea to prevent Communists from launching raids from there.
With victory almost certain in the Chinese Civil War, Chiang Kai-shek could use the military for purposes besides suppressing the “red bandits.” More attention was paid to the Chinese Navy, which saw very little action in the Civil War. At the time, the Chinese fleet was mostly made up of decommissioned American ships and Japanese destroyers that had been surrendered to the Allies. Chen Cheng, Commander in Chief of the Chinese Navy, envisioned something greater. His long-term goal was to build a navy that could project power around the Pacific. Chinese shipyards began construction of destroyers, cruisers, and submarines. The Chinese Army sent soldiers to the border with French Indochina. This was intended to send a message to France that China was willing to intervene in Indochina. Aid to the VNQDD was increased. Troops were also sent to guard the border with East Turkestan.
(Chen Cheng)
Chiang Kai-shek was faced with the daunting task of land reform. China was a vast country where millions lived as peasants. Their farms were not ultimately owned by them, but by their landlords. The Communists were so popular among the peasantry precisely because they redistributed land to the peasants. Land reform had taken place in parts of China already, not only by the Communists. Ma Hongkui, a warlord, already implemented land reform in Ningxia Province. Unlike the Communists, the Nationalists would need to compensate the landlords. While government officials discussed possible solutions, the Legislative Yuan passed the 1952 Farm Act. The act, which would give unused land to peasant farmers, was signed into law by Chiang Kai-shek. Most of this land was in Western China, though the government also promised that Northeastern farmland would be available once the Communists were cleared out of the region. Some have criticized the 1952 Farm Act, saying that it was intended to displace minorities in Western China. However, Chiang’s motivations were more likely a desire to bring people loyal to the national government into provinces where warlords held sway in order to further integrate the country.
(Ma Hongkui)
1952 would see the elimination of most Communist armies South of the Great Wall. Nationalist generals Tang Enbo and Ma Bufang engaged in a series of operations to mop up the remaining Communist forces in Central China. Some Communist guerillas fled into Western China, but they were defeated by Ma Bufang’s brother, Ma Buqing. By October, the only Communist forces South of the Great wall were small, irregular bands that posed no serious threat to the Chinese Army. In April Yan Xishan began his campaign against Communists in Suiyuan Province. There were few engagements, as the Communists retreated from battle against the vastly numerically superior Nationalist forces. 5,000 Communist soldiers fled into Mongolia. Li Mi led the Nationalist forces in Chahar Province, where events played out similarly to Suiyuan. At the same time, half a million soldiers were transferred to the Northeast, with more on the way. These troops helped guard the border with North Korea to prevent Communists from launching raids from there.
With victory almost certain in the Chinese Civil War, Chiang Kai-shek could use the military for purposes besides suppressing the “red bandits.” More attention was paid to the Chinese Navy, which saw very little action in the Civil War. At the time, the Chinese fleet was mostly made up of decommissioned American ships and Japanese destroyers that had been surrendered to the Allies. Chen Cheng, Commander in Chief of the Chinese Navy, envisioned something greater. His long-term goal was to build a navy that could project power around the Pacific. Chinese shipyards began construction of destroyers, cruisers, and submarines. The Chinese Army sent soldiers to the border with French Indochina. This was intended to send a message to France that China was willing to intervene in Indochina. Aid to the VNQDD was increased. Troops were also sent to guard the border with East Turkestan.
(Chen Cheng)
Chiang Kai-shek was faced with the daunting task of land reform. China was a vast country where millions lived as peasants. Their farms were not ultimately owned by them, but by their landlords. The Communists were so popular among the peasantry precisely because they redistributed land to the peasants. Land reform had taken place in parts of China already, not only by the Communists. Ma Hongkui, a warlord, already implemented land reform in Ningxia Province. Unlike the Communists, the Nationalists would need to compensate the landlords. While government officials discussed possible solutions, the Legislative Yuan passed the 1952 Farm Act. The act, which would give unused land to peasant farmers, was signed into law by Chiang Kai-shek. Most of this land was in Western China, though the government also promised that Northeastern farmland would be available once the Communists were cleared out of the region. Some have criticized the 1952 Farm Act, saying that it was intended to displace minorities in Western China. However, Chiang’s motivations were more likely a desire to bring people loyal to the national government into provinces where warlords held sway in order to further integrate the country.
(Ma Hongkui)
Considering the Chinese are building up their navy, maybe they could purchase a Colossus-class CVL or something like that to "learn the ropes" when it comes to operating carriers like what India did IOTL?
Deleted member 2186
And then build their own version of it, ore does the OTL Communist China only do that.
Not a bad idea at all. Britain has them going spare after all
I mean, given India are also building their own carrier thanks to lessons learned…
Deleted member 2186
True but still, if a ROC wants to copy anything, America is the way to go, have them build Chinese versions of american gear as OTL PRC was building Chinese versions of Soviet gear.Not a bad idea at all. Britain has them going spare after all
I mean, given India are also building their own carrier thanks to lessons learned…
At this point in time, it actually makes more sense to buy British. Their stuff is more advanced and their lousy financial situation means that they’ll be willing to include licensing and technology transfer agreements in any procurement deals. Industrial machinery should be purchased from the US though because it’s much more modern.
Purchasing the Enterprise would be an incredibly stupid decision. It was completely and utterly worn out after the war and the cost of rebuilding it scared away anyone looking to turn it into a museum ship. If China wants a fleet carrier or two from the US, their best bet would be to purchase the Bunker Hill and/or Franklin. In OTL, both ships were rebuilt to mint condition after taking heavy damage in the war and spent the rest of their lives in the reserve fleet waiting a hypothetical 'ultimate reconstruction" for the Essex-class that never came due the USN supercarriers entering service.
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And even then, an Independence-class CVL or a Saipan-class CVL, for the same reason as the Majestics/Colussuses, would be a better bet.
Deleted member 2186
Chinese versions of British aircraft, well the English Electric Lightning is a good candidate to fulfill the role as ROC version of the Chengdu J-7 among others.
Maybe the Chinese could purchase a Fiji-class cruiser or two as India and Peru IOTL got them from the Brits.
Deleted member 2186
In OTL the ROCN got thier hands on HMS Aurora (12) , a Arethusa-class light cruiser in 1948 before it sweitched sides in 1949, doubt that will happen here in this TL.
Agreed. Along with Hawker Sea Hawks for the carriers, Canberra bombers...
Deleted member 2186
With of course the Chinese designation, if the ROC will use the same once the PLA currently is using as of today.
Could the Chinese start developing their helicopters?
sinorecords.org
1st AFAMF Hummingbird — China's First Helicopter - Sino Records
The Hummingbird was China's first helicopter designed by Zhu Jiaren. Two prototypes were made in 1948 but both were eventually lost.
sinorecords.org
Looking forward to seeing how well Chiang's attempts at reform work in the short-term, especially with having to keep ruling with a heavy hand while the civil war is still ongoing.