@Kenntnis22 The Anglo-French allied forces set fire to the Old Summer Palace, but many buildings survived, including the hills, bridges, and walls. During the Eight-Nation Alliance period, no evidence has been found that foreigners looted the palace; historians mostly believe it was the Manchu bannermen who plundered it. Then came the period of warlordism and civilian demolition. Finally, after liberation, it was converted into farmland, becoming what it is today.
@Kenntnis22 The fact that the Yuanmingyuan is in its current state is really closely related to the ordinary people during the Qing Dynasty and the later Republic of China government.
@Kenntnis22 Impossible. None of the artifacts in the Palace Museum are genuine. Even if the Eight-Nation Alliance had fewer people and less time to loot, the Japanese occupied Beijing for eight years, giving them plenty of time to make replicas. Think about it, they even took wheat and coal from the mines to Japan; would they leave you with valuable artifacts?
@Kenntnis22 According to historical records, when the Eight-Nation Alliance arrived, they used more than 800 trucks to haul away the looted treasures of the Old Summer Palace.
@Kenntnis22 There's also the Yue Fei Temple in Hangzhou. When the Japanese occupied Hangzhou, they didn't damage the temple in the slightest. They just cleaned it up, and then a few Japanese soldiers took a group photo in front of Yue Fei's tomb and left. However, during the Cultural Revolution, Yue Fei's tomb and his son Yue Yun's tomb were completely destroyed.
@Kenntnis22 One day, two robbers entered the Yuanmingyuan; one looted, the other set it on fire. It could be said that victory belonged to the thieves; together, the two victors utterly destroyed the Yuanmingyuan, and people seemed to see the name of Elgin, infamous for dismantling the Parthenon and transporting it back to England, once again. —Victor Hugo
@Kenntnis22 His argument is correct; we should be objective when looking at history. However, his wording is rather subjective, and he has not provided any historical evidence to support his claims. Judging from his description of Senggelinqin's treatment of foreign prisoners, the information he possesses is neither firsthand nor specific.
@Kenntnis22 The Anglo-French allied forces came, but no accounts were settled; the Eight-Nation Alliance came, but no accounts were settled; the Japanese army came, but no accounts were settled. Are we supposed to go to the Western Paradise to ask the Victorious Fighting Buddha?
@Kenntnis22 Really? What's the deal with the Peking Man skull? Are all the Chinese artifacts in the British Museum bought from China? Think before you speak. Post this article to an AI and see what it says. It'll probably call Geng Baochang an idiot.
@Kenntnis22 The British Museum's treasures from around the world must have been squeezed out of your mother's vagina, you son of a bitch, you son of a bitch, did the skulls of Native Americans grow into your mother's vagina?
@Kenntnis22 Please prove that this article was written by Mr. Geng Baochang, and on which official media or personal media verified by Mr. Geng Baochang himself was it published? Provide the source, otherwise you will bear legal responsibility for bringing negative publicity to Mr. Geng Baochang.
@Kenntnis22 This is a fabricated article, falsely attributed to Mr. Geng Baochang, but actually written by someone surnamed Jin. It's riddled with errors. Here's the link: mp.weixin.qq.com/s/QfN3YXffT5J…
@Kenntnis22 Now you know the significance of the Cultural Revolution, right? Even the Eight-Nation Alliance admitted their remorse for destroying and looting the Old Summer Palace, but these intellectuals disagreed. So, until they repent, these bastards should be in labor camps.
Another slogan of the Cultural Revolution was: The more knowledge you have, the more reactionary you are.
@Kenntnis22 A while ago, the Chinese government sent official documents to several countries requesting the return of cultural relics looted during the war. Several countries replied, stating they were investigating and would arrange a return date after confirmation. The bronze animal heads from the Old Summer Palace were also returned as war-looted artifacts during Macron's visit to China. If they weren't looted, why would they reply with official documents and be willing to return them? Furthermore, some foreign collectors have explicitly stated that certain artifacts were acquired from the descendants of soldiers who invaded China.
@OPffonf7tNa413s@Kenntnis22 Modern European expansion, from the sea monster Drake to the pig farmer Pizarro, was generally about looting under orders, while also engaging in trade. Therefore, there is no need to dwell on the nature of the Yuanmingyuan at a particular time and place. One could say that even thieves have their code of honor, but that doesn't mean it wasn't thievery.
