Sadly, China has a long history of bloody conflicts. China has fought 62 wars since the mid-17th Century. These include wars with foreign powers and internal rebellions against the Chinese state. The 19th Century saw China fight and lose major conflicts against European powers. However, China also has a proud military history and many conflicts have been won by China.
We’ve put together a breakdown of eight conflicts in which China was victorious, including some famous ones, and some that many people will know less about…
1. World War Two (1939 – 1945)
Perhaps the best-known war that China has won was World War Two. China was allied with America and Britain against Japan for the entirety of the war. China played a vital role in defeating the Japanese Empire and winning the Second World War for the allies.
In September 1931, Japan invaded the northern Chinese province of Manchuria. The region is rich in natural resources. Japan as an island nation lacking in resources required these to feed its industrialization. In 1937, Japan launched a full-scale invasion of the rest of China. This was partly to exploit China’s internal divisions at this time.
The conflict between China and Japan that began in 1937 is known as the Second Sino-Japanese War. It is considered part of the Pacific theatre of the Second World War. China fought Japan with military assistance from the US and Soviet Union. China won the Second-Sino Japanese War and was considered one of the victorious powers of World War Two
Historians estimate up to 14 million Chinese died during the Second World War. However, China was ultimately victorious in defeating Japan and restabilising Chinese control over the country, including the island Taiwan and the region of Manchuria.
2. Chinese Invasion of Tibet (1950 – 51)
In 1950, China invaded the independent country of Tibet. Chinese forces won a decisive victory over Tibet and gained control the country. Tibet was incorporated into the People’s Republic of China in October 1951.
Tibet was part of the Chinese Empire for various periods from the 13th Century. When the Qing dynasty fell in 1913, Tibet gained independence from China. However, when the Chinese Civil War (1927 – 1949) ended and the Communist Party gained control of China, decisions were taken to reconquer Tibet and reincorporate it back into China.
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army faced limited resistance when taking over Tibet. China won the war against Tibetan forces decisively. Tibetan forces were defeated at the Battle of Chamdo in which the majority of Tibet’s armed forces were destroyed. Soon after Tibet was brought under the control of the People’s Republic of China.
The reasons for China’s invasion of Tibet are complex. However, Chinas’ historical connections to Tibet was a kay factor. Another factor was the Chinese need to control the land north of the Himalayan mountains. It was believed that Tibet could fall under Indian influence if it was not controlled by China.
Hundreds of Chinese were killed during the invasion of Tibet. Over 3,000 Tibetans also lost their lives. The Chinese invasion of Tibet is one of the most important wars won by China in the 20th Century and allowed for the annexation of Tibet that continues to this day.
3. Taiping Rebellion (1850 – 1864)
The Taiping Rebellion was one of the largest conflicts in human history. The war saw an uprising against China’s ruling Qing dynasty by the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom – a religious group led by Hong Xiuquan. Chinese forces loyal to the government won the war.
Hong Xuiquan was a Christian who believed he was the brother of Jesus Christ. He led an uprising across China and fought for the creation, and expansion, of the Taiping Heavily Kingdom – a religious state with him as the leader.
The causes of the Taiping Rebellion were religions, political and nationalist. The Taiping fought to convert people to their Christian beliefs, as well as against the central Qing state. The Taiping also wanted an end to foreign interference in Chinese affairs. Ultimately, the Qing dynasty defeated the Taiping Rebellion.
Between 20 and 30 million Chinese people were killed during the Taiping Rebellion. This makes it among the deadliest conflicts in history.
Although the Taiping Rebellion is classed as a civil war, it did see the establishment of a separate state by the Taiping in southern China. At its height, the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom ruled over 30 million people across China. The recapturing of this territory and the defeat of the Taiping forces makes this a war that was won by the Chinese state.
4. Sino-Nepalese War (1788 – 1789)
In 1788, Nepal invaded Tibet. The region had been ruled by the Chinese Qing dynasty since 1720. Initially, fighting took place between Nepalese Gorkas and Tibetan forces. However, after Nepalese forces succeeded in routing Tibetan forces and plundering much of the region, Tibet signed the Treaty of Kerung.
Following the signing of the Treaty, Tibet requested the intervention of Chinese forces. Qing troops succeeding in retaking much of Tibet and pushed forces from Nepal back of Nukakot where they then faced a sustained Nepalese counterattack.
The Sino-Nepalese War ended in a stalemate with both sides signing the Treaty of Betrawati. However, Nepal was forced to concede to terms dictated by the Chinese and the war ended in the Chinese favour. Nepal conceded to Chinese terms as it was felt that cordial relations with the Qing Empire were more important than resolving the issues in Tibet. It is generally considered that China won the Sino-Nepalese War.
The root cause of the Sino-Nepalese War was an economic dispute between Tibet and Nepal. Disputes over currency that was used by both Nepal and Tibet resulted in economic shocks and exposed the Nepalese economy to risk from Tibet.
5. Korean War (1950 – 1953)
The Korean War begin in June 1950 when Communist North Korea invaded the American-backed South. Initially, North Korean forces saw successes pushing southwards and encircling the South Koreans at Busan. To avoid defeat for their ally, America led an intervention approved by the United Nations. This saw US troops support South Korean forces trapped at Busan as well as landings at Inch’ŏn in September 1950.
South Korean and Western forces pushed the North Koreans back beyond the 38th parallel – the de-facto border between the Koreas and managed to drive towards the North Korean border with China. In October 1950, China joined the war in support of the North Koreans.
The entry of China into the Korean War was decisive. Western and South Korean troops were pushed back and a stalemate ensued. China’s support for North Korea was key to ensuring the regime survived.
The Korean War can be seen as victory for China as they achieved their objective of supporting the North Koreans and preventing the country’s collapse. Although North Korea’s stated aim was to unify the Korean peninsula under the Communist regime, China’s main aim was to prevent the American-backed South from gaining control of the entire peninsula – allowing America to station troops on China’s border.
China achieved it’s aims in the Korean War, and this is why it is an important victory for China.
6. Dzungar–Qing Wars (1687 – 1757)
The Dzunger-Qing Wars were a series of conflicts fought between Qing dynasty China and the Dzungar Khanate – an inner Asian state in what is present day Kyrgyzstan. The wars between China and the Dzungar lasted for 70 years and resulted in a Chinese victory.
The root cause of the Dzunger-Qing Wars lies in the fall of the Chinese Mongol Yuan dynasty in 1368 to the Qing. Following the fall of the dynasty, the Mongol rulers of China retreated to Mongolia and established what is known as the Northern Yuan dynasty. The state they established splintered into many Khanates over the following centuries.
In 1687, the Dzungar Khanatem – a remnant of the Northern Yuan dynasty, began successfully conquering land in northern and eastern China. The Qing Chinese allied with several other Khanates are fought a series of conflicts against the Dzunger. Fighting took place over much of Inner Asia, including in modern day Mongolia, Tibet, and Xinjiang.
The Chinese ultimately won the wars against the Dzunger. The result of the Qing-Dzunger Wars was the incorporation of Outer Mongolia, Tibet, and Xinjiag into the Chinese Empire. The war also ended with a genocide of much of the Dzunger population.
The Dzunger-Qing Wars were a decisive victory for China, allowing them to take significant territory – most of which has remained part of China to this day.
7. Chinese Reconquest of Xinjiang (1876 – 1877)
In 1876, the Uzbek Yakub Beg conquered most of Xinjiang from Qing dynasty China. Following 11 years of conflict, China was victorious in retaking Xinjiang and reincorporating back into China.
Following the Dungan Revolt, China lost control of the northern province of Xinjiang. The province had been under Chinese rule since it was captured from the Dzungar Khanate in 1757.
The root cause of the late 19th Century conflict in Xinjiang, and ultimately the Chinese victory in retaking the province, was ethnic violence between the Hui Muslim population and Han Chinese. The large-scale revolt saw the near total collapse of the Qing authority in Xinjiang. Exploiting this, Uzbek forces under the command of Yakub Beg invaded Xinjiang and successfully took control of the province.
Chinese forces, under the command of Zuo Zongtang, began a campaign to retake the Xinjiang region in 1877. A key driver for this decision was the fear that Russian or Britain may begin to exert influence over Yakub Beg in Xinjiang, as both major powers were vying for control of parts of Central Asia.
The reconquest of Xinjiang by China was a major victory for the Qing dynasty in the late 19th Century.
8. Siege of Pyongyang (1593)
The Siege of Pyongyang was a battle fought between Chinese and Korean forces against the Japanese. It resulted in a victory for the Chinese and their allies and the retreat of Japanese forces. It eventually led to the retreat of Japanese forces from Korea and an extensive peace between Japan, China, and Korea.
The Korean peninsula had been under Chinese influence from around the 4th Century. In 1593, Korea was ruled by the Joseon dynasty who were traditionally allied to the Chinese. However, Korea’s strategic importance to the Japanese saw repeated attempts throughout history to bring the peninsula into a Japanese sphere of influence.
The late 16th Century saw Japan land forces in Korea and attempt to control the peninsula. The decisive battle of this war was the Siege of Pyongyang. Chinese forces played a key role in defeating the Japanese in the battle and it can be seen as strong example of Chinese victories in the Ming dynasty period.
By 1593, the city of Pyongyang has been taken by Japanese forces. A combined Chinese and Korean army were able to liberate the city during the Siege of Pyongyang and inflict a significant defeat on the Japanese.
The Siege of Pyongyang is seen as an important victory for China as it ensured continued Chinese influence over the Korean peninsula.