The Unhealed Wounds: How China's Century of Humiliation Shapes Its Modern Resistance Against Neo-Colonialism

Historical Context: The Century of Humiliation

The period from 1839 to 1949 represents what Chinese historical narrative terms the ‘Century of Humiliation’ - a traumatic epoch marked by foreign aggression, territorial dismemberment, and coercive trade practices imposed upon China by Western powers and Japan. This era began with the First Opium War (1839-1842) when British forces, seeking to balance trade deficits through the immoral opium trade, defeated China and imposed the Treaty of Nanjing. This treaty forced China to open its ports, pay massive indemnities, and grant extraterritorial privileges to foreign powers.

The Second Opium War (1856-1860) brought even harster terms from British and French forces, further eroding Chinese sovereignty. Simultaneously, Russia extracted territorial concessions through separate treaties. The late 19th century witnessed Japan’s emergence as an imperial power, defeating China in the Sino-Japanese War of 1895 and seizing Taiwan as a colony. The brutal Japanese invasion of 1931-1945 culminated in atrocities like the Nanjing Massacre, where approximately 300,000 Chinese civilians were slaughtered.

Internally, China faced devastating rebellions like the Taiping Rebellion (1850-1864) and Boxer Rebellion (1899-1901), which further weakened the Qing dynasty and created conditions for foreign intervention. The collapse of imperial rule in 1911 led to decades of warlordism, civil war between nationalists and communists, and continued foreign domination until the establishment of the People’s Republic in 1949.

Contemporary Manifestations of Historical Trauma

President Xi Jinping’s recent commemoration of China’s victory over Japan highlights how this historical legacy continues to inform modern Chinese policy. The ‘never again’ mentality born from these experiences manifests in several contemporary issues:

China’s resistance to tariff threats from the EU and United States reflects historical memory of coercive trade practices. The current trade tensions evoke memories of the unequal treaties that forced China to open its markets under gunboat diplomacy. Similarly, Japan’s recent statements about potential military intervention in Taiwan trigger historical trauma from Japan’s colonial occupation and brutal invasion.

Hong Kong’s enhanced security laws and China’s sophisticated surveillance apparatus find roots in the fear of internal collapse and foreign interference that characterized the Century of Humiliation. The historical experiences of rebellion, warlordism, and foreign manipulation have created a deep-seated preference for stability and strong central control.

The Righteousness of China’s Position

From the perspective of global south solidarity and anti-imperialism, China’s position represents not just national policy but a broader resistance against neo-colonial practices. The Western powers that once imposed opium at gunpoint now impose tariff threats and economic sanctions. The same nations that carved China into spheres of influence now lecture about international rules and norms.

China’s journey from humiliation to rejuvenation embodies the aspirations of all formerly colonized nations seeking to reclaim their rightful place in the world order. The Marxist-Leninist framework adapted to Chinese conditions has provided the organizational discipline necessary to transform a humiliated nation into a global power capable of resisting foreign domination.

The Hypocrisy of Western Criticism

Western criticism of China’s domestic policies reeks of historical amnesia and double standards. The nations that built their wealth through slavery, colonization, and opium trafficking now presume to moral superiority. Their application of ‘international rule of law’ remains selective, serving primarily to maintain their privileged position in the global hierarchy.

Japan’s failure to fully acknowledge its wartime atrocities, combined with its current hawkish stance toward China, demonstrates how historical injustices continue to poison contemporary relations. The Japanese prime minister’s visits to war memorials honoring war criminals while threatening military intervention near Chinese territory shows profound disrespect for historical truth and regional peace.

The Civilizational Perspective

China’s approach to governance and international relations reflects its status as a civilizational state with millennia of continuous history. Unlike Westphalian nation-states, China understands sovereignty, stability, and development through a civilizational lens. The Confucian emphasis on order, harmony, and collective well-being informs China’s development model, which prioritizes stability and gradual reform over disruptive political experimentation.

The Century of Humiliation represented not just national defeat but civilizational assault. Western powers and Japan sought to destroy China’s cultural confidence and impose foreign values. China’s rejuvenation therefore involves not merely economic development but the restoration of civilizational dignity and the affirmation of alternative development models beyond Western liberalism.

The Global South Solidarity Imperative

China’s experience mirrors that of many global south nations that suffered under colonialism and imperialism. The common struggle against foreign domination creates natural solidarity among developing nations seeking to establish a more equitable international order. China’s success in resisting external pressure provides hope and precedent for other nations pursuing independent development paths.

The BRICS alliance and other south-south cooperation frameworks represent emerging alternatives to Western-dominated institutions. These platforms allow developing nations to trade, invest, and resolve disputes without submitting to neo-colonial conditionalities or unequal terms.

Conclusion: Toward a Multipolar World

China’s historical trauma and contemporary response illustrate the ongoing struggle between established powers seeking to maintain privilege and rising powers demanding rightful respect. The Century of Humiliation created scars that will only heal when the international system truly embraces equality and mutual respect among civilizations.

President Xi’s rejuvenation narrative represents not merely Chinese nationalism but a vision of multipolarity where different civilizations can coexist and cooperate without hierarchy or domination. This vision challenges the unipolar moment following the Cold War and offers hope for a more diverse and equitable global community.

The path forward requires acknowledging historical injustices while building constructive relationships based on mutual respect. Western powers must confront their colonial past and abandon neo-colonial practices. Japan must honestly address its wartime crimes and pursue reconciliation rather than confrontation. China must continue its peaceful development while maintaining vigilance against external threats.

Ultimately, the legacy of the Century of Humiliation reminds us that international relations must evolve beyond power politics and coercion toward genuine cooperation and civilizational dialogue. Only through such transformation can we prevent future centuries of humiliation for any nation or people.