Bai Chongxi

Lore & Background

During the Second Sino-Japanese War, Bai rejoined the central government in August 1937 and became Deputy Chief of the General Staff. He convinced Chiang Kai-shek to adopt a 'Total War' strategy of trading space for time, guerrilla tactics, and scorched earth. He was involved in the Battle of Tai'erzhuang and oversaw the successful defense of Changsha. Bai also headed the Chinese Islamic National Salvation Federation and promoted Chinese nationalism among Hui Muslims. After the war, he fought in the Chinese Civil War and fled to Taiwan in 1949, where he died in 1966.

Reader's Guide

Bai Chongxi's significance lies in his dual role as a regional warlord and a national military leader during a transformative period in Chinese history. As a key figure of the New Guangxi Clique, he helped modernize Guangxi and supplied over 900,000 soldiers for the war against Japan. His strategic advice during the Second Sino-Japanese War, particularly the 'Total War' doctrine, influenced China's defensive approach. Bai's relationship with Chiang Kai-shek oscillated between cooperation and antagonism, exemplified by his support for the anti-Chiang alliance in the Central Plains War and later collaboration against Japan and the Communists. His legacy includes his administration of Guangxi as a 'model' province and his role as the first defense minister of the ROC. Bai's Hui Muslim identity also made him a symbol of intercommunal tolerance and Islamic participation in Chinese nationalism.

Did You Know?

• Bai Chongxi was known by the nickname Xiao Zhuge, meaning 'Zhuge Liang Jr.', after the Three Kingdoms strategist.
• He was awarded the Legion of Merit of the United States in January 1945.
• Bai allowed the Communists to slip through Guangxi during the Long March.
• He sheltered the Muslim Yuehua publication in Guilin, which printed Quranic quotes justifying Chiang Kai-shek's leadership.

Notable Quotes (Wikiquote)

"We must take advantage of the victory in the anti-Japanese War to win our war against the Communist bandits, once for all." — Bai Chongxi "This is because all my time is taken up by the war. You should keep in mind that there are times when the rifle is more important than the pen." — Bai Chongxi "The tomb of late general Bai Chongxi will form the basis for a Muslim cultural area and Taiwan historical park." — Bai Chongxi "Hau Lung-pin (2013) cited in "Pai Chung-hsi's tomb to center Taipei cultural park" on Taiwan Today, 8 March 2013." — Bai Chongxi