Open main menu
Home
Random
Recent changes
Special pages
Community portal
Preferences
About Wikipedia
Disclaimers
Incubator escapee wiki
Search
User menu
Talk
Dark mode
Contributions
Create account
Log in
Editing
Chengdu
(section)
Warning:
You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you
log in
or
create an account
, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits.
Anti-spam check. Do
not
fill this in!
==History== [[File:Archaeological Site of Jinsha.jpg|thumb|right|The archaeological site of [[Jinsha (archaeological site)|Jinsha]] is a major discovery in Chengdu in 2001.]] ===Early history=== Archaeological discoveries at the [[Sanxingdui]] and [[Jinsha site|Jinsha Site]] have established that the area surrounding Chengdu was inhabited over four thousand years ago, in the 18th–10th century{{nbsp}}BC. At the time of China's [[Xia dynasty|Xia]], [[Shang dynasty|Shang]], and [[Zhou dynasty|Zhou]] [[list of Chinese dynasties|dynasties]], it represented a separate ancient [[Bronze Age|bronze-wielding]] culture that, following its partial [[sinification]], became known to the Chinese as [[Shu (kingdom)|Shu]].<ref name="sage1">{{cite book|last=Sage|first=Steven F.|title=Ancient Sichuan and the unification of China|year=1992|publisher=State University of New York Press|location=Albany|isbn=0791410374|page=16|url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/20359334?selectedversion=NBD8161066|access-date=12 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004235754/http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/20359334?selectedversion=NBD8161066|archive-date=4 October 2013|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="yinkedeng">{{Cite book |last = Liang |first = Deng |author2=Martha Avery |author3=Yue Pan|title = History of China | publisher = [[:zh:五洲传播出版社|China Intercontinental Press]] |year = 2001 |page = 171 |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=lFRVNTo77vEC |isbn = 7-5085-1098-4 |author-mask=Liang Deng |display-authors=1}}</ref> Shu was conquered by [[Qin (state)|Qin]] in 316{{nbsp}}BC, and the settlement was re-founded by Qin general [[Zhang Yi (strategist)|Zhang Yi]]. ==== Pre-Qin to Qin and Han dynasties ==== In the early stage of the [[Xia dynasty]] or even earlier, the ancient Shu Kingdom located on the Chengdu Plain has formed a relatively developed bronze civilization, becoming an important source of Chinese civilization and one of the birthplaces of the Chinese nation. According to records, there were five dynasties in the ancient Shu Kingdom, and their capitals were Qushang (now Wenjiang District, Chengdu), Piyi (now Pidu District), Xindu, and Guangdu. At the end of the Spring and Autumn period (around the 4th century BC), the fifth King Kaiming moved the capital to Chengdu. According to "Taiping Huanyu Ji", the name of the city is borrowed from the history of the establishment of the capital in the Western Zhou dynasty. The allusions of Zhou Wang Qianqi's "one year, he lived in a cluster, two years became a city, and three years Chengdu," because of the name Chengdu, it has been used to this day. Therefore, Chengdu has become a rare city in China and the world that has not changed its name since its establishment. Some people think that Chengdu is a transliteration of ancient Shu place names. There is a saying that "Guangdu, Xindu and Chengdu" are collectively referred to as the "Three Capitals of Ancient Shu". Nowadays, there are many cultural relics of ancient Shu Kingdom in Chengdu Plain, such as Sanxingdui Ruins, Jinsha Ruins, Yufu Ancient City Ruins, Wangcong Temple, etc. Jinsha Ruins located in the urban area of Chengdu is a peak of the development of ancient Shu culture.<ref>{{cite book |title=《成都市志·大事记》 |date=2010-12-01 |publisher=方志出版社 |isbn=978-7-80238-977-9 |pages=605–607}}</ref><ref>《史记·五帝本纪》:“一年而所居成聚,二年成邑,三年成都。”</ref><ref>《华阳国志·蜀志》:「蜀以成都、新都、广都为三都」</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=金沙简介 |url=http://www.jinshasitemuseum.com/About/Introduction |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118075827/http://www.jinshasitemuseum.com/About/Introduction |archive-date=2021-01-18 |accessdate=2018-09-30 |website=成都金沙遗址博物馆}}</ref> The Golden Mask of the Shang and Zhou dynasties at the Jinsha Site. The ancient state of Shu was the first target to be conquered by the Qin state in the process of unifying the world. King Huiwen of Qin had prepared for this for many years, and opened up the Shiniu Road (that is, the Jinniu Road) from Qin to Shu. In 316 BC, King Huiwen of Qin took advantage of the mutual attack between Ba and Shu and sent Sima Cuo to lead his army into Shu along the Shiniu Road, capturing the land in a few months. After that, the king of Qin established three abolitions of Shu Hou, and finally established Shu County, and the county seat of Chengdu County was established in Chengdu, the former capital of Shu. In 311 BC, Zhang Yi of the Qin dynasty built the Chengdu city wall according to the system of the capital Xianyang, building a large city and a small city. In 256 BC, King Zhao of Qin appointed Li Bing as the governor of Shu County. During his tenure, he presided over the construction of the world-famous Dujiangyan Water Conservancy Project. The Chengdu Plain has been fertile and wild for thousands of miles since then. After decades of operation, Chengdu replaced Guanzhong Plain in the late Qin dynasty and was called the "Land of Abundance", and this reputation has continued to this day.<ref>{{cite news |date=2016-08-10 |title=白马关金牛古蜀道 石牛粪金起五丁开道成 |url=http://epaper.scdaily.cn/shtml/scrb/20160810/139442.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118075847/https://epaper.scdaily.cn/shtml/scrb/20160810/139442.shtml |archive-date=2021-01-18 |accessdate=2018-10-01 |work=四川日报}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=華陽國志 (四庫全書本)/卷03 |url=https://zh.wikisource.org/wiki/%E8%8F%AF%E9%99%BD%E5%9C%8B%E5%BF%97_(%E5%9B%9B%E5%BA%AB%E5%85%A8%E6%9B%B8%E6%9C%AC)/%E5%8D%B703 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210619164334/https://zh.wikisource.org/wiki/%E8%8F%AF%E9%99%BD%E5%9C%8B%E5%BF%97_(%E5%9B%9B%E5%BA%AB%E5%85%A8%E6%9B%B8%E6%9C%AC)/%E5%8D%B703 |archive-date=2021-06-19 |access-date=2022-06-25 |website=维基文库,自由的图书馆 |language=zh}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |author= |date=2016 |title=成都地区在南北朝佛教史上的重要地位 |url=http://www.fx361.com/page/2017/0103/469223.shtml |journal=《看历史》 |location=成都 |issue=11 |pages= |issn=2095-0853 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117081039/http://www.fx361.com/page/2017/0103/469223.shtml |archive-date=2021-01-17 |access-date=2017-09-21 |id=51-1732/K |url-status=live}}</ref> During the Han dynasty, the Chengdu economy, especially its brocade industry, prospered, becoming an important source of tribute to the court. The imperial court invested in Chengdu and specially set up Jinguan management and built "Jinguan City" in the southwest of Chengdu, "Jinguan City" and "Jincheng" becoming nicknames for Chengdu. In the second year of Emperor Ping of the Yuan dynasty, the population of Chengdu reached 76,000 households, or about 354,000 people, making it one of the most populous cities at that time. Towards the six major cities. In the third year of the reign of Emperor Jing of the Han dynasty (141 BC), the Wen Dang, the prefect of Shu County, established the world's earliest local government-run school, "Wenweng Shishi", in Chengdu. In the Han dynasty, Chengdu's literature and art also reached a high level. All the most famous literary masters in the Han dynasty were from Chengdu, including Sima Xiangru, Yang Xiong, and Wang Bao.<ref>《汉书·食货志下》:「遂於长安及五都立五均官,更名长安 东西市令及洛阳、邯郸、临淄、宛、成都市长皆为五均司市师。」</ref><ref name="认识成都历史沿革">{{cite web |title=认识成都 - 历史沿革 |url=http://www.chengdu.gov.cn/cd_know/detail.jsp?id=273934 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140816045846/http://www.chengdu.gov.cn/cd_know/detail.jsp?id=273934 |archivedate=2014-08-16 |accessdate=2015-04-30 |website=成都市人民政府}}</ref> In the former Han dynasty, the whole country was divided into 14 prefectural governors' departments, among which the Yizhou governor was established in Luoxian (now Guanghan City, Sichuan), and the governor later moved to Chengdu. In the first year of Emperor Guangwu's reign (25 years) in the Eastern Han dynasty, Gongsun Shu established himself as the emperor in Chengdu, and the country's name was "married family". In the twelfth year of Jianwu in the Later Han dynasty (36 years), the Great Sima Wuhan of the Eastern Han dynasty finally captured Chengdu after five years of war, and his family perished. In the fifth year of Zhongping (188), Emperor Ling of Han, the court accepted Liu Yan's suggestion and changed the provincial governors to state shepherds with actual recruitment and command power. In the fifth year of Chuping (194), it moved to Chengdu. At that time, the Yizhou Provincial Governor's Department was the place where the Hu people in the Western Regions were operating.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=Chengdu, an Ancient and Modern City |url=http://www.chengdu.gov.cn/english/aboutCheng/2022-08/22/content_cfc5348d073e40fca7a79317e0331438.shtml |website=chengdu,China}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=何一民. |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1237410933 |title=<>. |date=2018 |publisher=四川人民出版社 |others=CNPeReading, 王毅. |isbn=978-7-220-10717-7 |oclc=1237410933}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/781772631 |title=Chengdu tong shi |date=2011 |publisher=Sichuan ren min chu ban she |author="Chengdu tong shi" bian zuan wei yuan hui, 《成都通史》编纂委员会. |isbn=978-7-220-08208-5 |edition=Di 1 ban |location=Chengdu |oclc=781772631}}</ref> ===Imperial era=== [[File:Dujiang Weir (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|The [[Dujiangyan|Dujiangyan Irrigation System]] built in 256 BC still functions today.]] {{multiple image | total_width = 300 | image1 = Holding Shield and Holding Broom tomb doors, 1 of 2, China, unearthed from Lanjia Yard, Pixian County, Sichuan, Eastern Han dynasty, 25-220 AD, stone - Sichuan Provincial Museum - Chengdu, China - DSC04745.jpg | image2 = Holding Shield and Holding Broom tomb doors, 2 of 2, China, unearthed from Lanjia Yard, Pixian County, Sichuan, Eastern Han dynasty, 25-220 AD, stone - Sichuan Provincial Museum - Chengdu, China - DSC04747.jpg | footer = Tomb doors from [[Pi County]] showing men in ''[[Ancient Chinese clothing|hanfu]]'', one with a shield and the other a broom (1st or 2nd century). }} Under the [[Western Han dynasty|Han]], the [[brocade]] produced in Chengdu became fashionable and was exported throughout China. A "Brocade Official" ({{lang-zh|labels=no|t=錦官 |p=jǐnguān}}) was established to oversee its production and transaction. After the fall of the Eastern Han, [[Liu Bei]] ruled [[Shu Han]], the southwestern of the [[Three Kingdoms]], from Chengdu. His [[chancellor (China)|minister]] [[Zhuge Liang]] called the area the "Land of Abundance".<ref>{{Cite web |title="天府之国"的由来 |url=http://scdfz.sc.gov.cn/zzfw/zzcy/content_22954 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240912154252/http://scdfz.sc.gov.cn/zzfw/zzcy/content_22954 |archive-date=2024-09-12 |access-date=2024-09-12 |website=Sichuan Provincial Local Chronicles Office}}</ref> Under the [[Tang dynasty|Tang]], Chengdu was considered the second most prosperous city in China after [[Yangzhou]].{{efn|{{lang-zh|first=t|t={{linktext|揚|一|益|二}} |s={{linktext|扬|一|益|二}} |l=Yang[zhou] 1[st], Yi[zhou] 2[nd]}}}} Both [[Li Bai]] and [[Du Fu]] lived in the city. [[Li Bai]] praised it as "lying above the [[empyrean]]." The city's present Caotang ("Grass Hall") was constructed in 1078 in honor of an earlier, more humble structure of that name erected by Du Fu in 760, the second year of his 4-year stay. The [[Taoism|Taoist]] Qingyang Gong ("Green Goat Temple") was built in the 9th century.<ref>{{cite journal |author=罗开玉 |date=2010 |title=秦汉三国时期成都商业大都会的建成 |url=http://www.cqvip.com/Main/Detail.aspx?id=35948364 |journal=《成都大学学报:社会科学版》 |issue=6 |pages=102–116 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101112459/http://www.cqvip.com/Main/Detail.aspx?id=35948364 |archive-date=2020-11-01 |access-date=2018-10-02}}</ref><ref>馬植杰(2006年):《三國史》第十章〈蜀漢之亡和司馬氏代魏成晉〉,第二節〈姜維北伐與蜀漢的滅亡〉,第151頁-第156頁。</ref> Chengdu was the capital of [[Wang Jian (Former Shu)|Wang Jian]]'s [[Former Shu]] from 907 to 925, when it was conquered by the [[Later Tang]]. The [[Later Shu]] was founded by [[Meng Zhixiang]] in 934, with its capital at Chengdu. Its second and last king, [[Meng Chang]] beautified the city by ordering [[hibiscus]] to be planted upon the [[Chinese city wall|city walls]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=History and Culture – The Historical Origin of Chengdu Imperial City |url=http://scdfz.sc.gov.cn/whzh/slzc1/content_63048 |access-date=2024-09-07 |website=Sichuan Provincial Local Chronicles Office}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=蜀汉故地 皇城遗迹寻踪{{!}}华西都市报 |url=http://www.wccdaily.com.cn/wapepaper/html/20230904/200828.html |access-date=2024-09-07 |website=West China City Daily}}</ref> The [[Song dynasty|Song]] conquered the city in 965, introducing the first widely used [[paper money]] in the world. [[Su Shi]] praised it as "the southwestern metropolis". At the fall of the Song, a rebel leader set up a short-lived kingdom known as [[Shu (state)|Great Shu]] ({{lang-zh|{{linktext|大蜀}}}}, ''Dàshǔ''). Allegedly the [[Mongolian Empire|Mongols]] called for the death of a million people in the city but the city's population had less than 30,000 residents (not Chengdu prefecture). The aged males who had not fled were killed while in typical fashion, the women, children and artisans were enslaved and deported. During the [[Yuan dynasty]], most of Sichuan's residents were deported to Hunan during the insurgency of the western ethnic tribes of western Sichuan. [[Marco Polo]] visited Chengdu<ref name="marco">{{cite book|last=Quian|first=Jack|title=Chengdu: A City of Paradise|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8M4hnwEACAAJ|year=2006|publisher=AuthorHouse|isbn=978-1-4259-7590-6|page=109|access-date=4 July 2019|archive-date=24 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624212850/https://books.google.com/books?id=8M4hnwEACAAJ|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Mayhew|first1=Bradley|last2=Miller|first2=Korina|last3=English|first3=Alex|title=South-West China|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sm-2FZavr9QC|edition=2nd|year=2002|publisher=Lonely Planet|isbn=978-1-86450-370-8|page=19|access-date=6 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160408083853/https://books.google.com/books?id=sm-2FZavr9QC|archive-date=8 April 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> and wrote about the [[Anshun Bridge]] or an earlier version of it.{{efn|"Let us now speak of a great Bridge which crosses this River within the city. This bridge is of stone; it is seven paces in width and half a mile in length (the river being that much in width as I told you); and all along its length on either side there are columns of marble to bear the roof, for the bridge is roofed over from end to end with timber, and that all richly painted. And on this bridge there were houses in which a great deal of trade and industry is carried on. But these houses were all of wood merely, and they are put up in the morning and taken down in the evening. Also there stands upon the bridge the Great Kaan's _Comercque_, that is to say, his custom-house, where his toll and tax were levied."<ref name=yule>{{citation |editor-last=Yule |editor-first=Henry |editor-link=Henry Yule |url=https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/12410 |title=The Travels of Marco Polo, ''Vol. II'' |last=Polo |first=Marco |author-link=Marco Polo |display-authors=0 |editor2=Henri Cordier |display-editors=1 |at=Ch. XLIV |access-date=16 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090924190642/http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/12410 |archive-date=24 September 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref>}} At the fall of the [[Ming dynasty|Ming]], the rebel [[Zhang Xianzhong]] established his Great Western Kingdom ({{lang-zh|{{linktext|大西}}}}) with its capital at Chengdu; it lasted only from 1643 to 1646.<ref name="eccp">{{cite ECCP |title=Chang Hsien-chung}}</ref> Zhang was said to have massacred a large number of people in Chengdu and throughout Sichuan. In any case, Chengdu was said to have become a virtual ghost town frequented by tigers<ref name="dai2">{{cite book |author=Yingcong Dai |title=The Sichuan Frontier and Tibet: Imperial Strategy in the Early Qing |year=2009 |publisher=University of Washington Press |pages=22–27 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DYHfVVAAf_kC&pg=PA22 |isbn=978-0-295-98952-5 |access-date=4 July 2019 |archive-date=24 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624213404/https://books.google.com/books?id=DYHfVVAAf_kC&pg=PA22 |url-status=live }}</ref> and the depopulation of Sichuan necessitated the resettlement of millions of people from other provinces during the [[Qing dynasty]]. Following the [[Columbian Exchange]], the [[Chengdu Plain]] became one of China's principal sources of [[tobacco cultivation in China|tobacco]]. [[Pi County]] was considered to have the highest quality in Sichuan, which was the center of the country's [[cigar]] and [[cigarette]] production, the rest of the country long continuing to consume [[snuff (tobacco)|snuff]] instead.<ref name=Britannica1878/> ===Modern era=== [[File:Huangcenba of Chengdu.jpg|thumb|right|Huangchengba in 1911]] In 1911, Chengdu's branch of the [[Railway Protection Movement]] helped trigger the [[Wuchang Uprising]], which led to the [[Xinhai Revolution]] that overthrew the Qing dynasty.<ref>[[#History|Cambridge History Vol 11, Part 2]]:522</ref><ref>[[#History|Cambridge History Vol 11, Part 2]]:524</ref> During [[World War II]], the capital city of China was forced to move inland from [[Battle of Nanking|Nanjing]] to [[Battle of Wuhan|Wuhan]] in 1937 and from Wuhan to Chengdu, then from Chengdu to [[Chongqing]] in 1938, as the [[Kuomintang]] (KMT) government under ''Generalissimo'' [[Chiang Kai-shek]] ultimately retreated to [[Sichuan]] to escape from the invading Japanese forces. They brought with them into Sichuan business people, workers, and academics who founded many of the industries and cultural institutions which continue to make Chengdu an important cultural and commercial production center.<ref name=":5" /> Chengdu became a military center for the KMT to regroup in the [[Second Sino-Japanese War|War of Resistance]]. Chengdu was beyond the reach of the Imperial Japanese ground forces and escort fighter planes. However, the Japanese frequently flew in the then-highly advanced twin-engine long-ranged [[Mitsubishi G3M|G3M "Nell"]] [[medium bomber]]s to conduct massive [[Aerial bombardment of cities|aerial bombardments]] of both civilian and military targets in [[Bombing of Chongqing|Chongqing and Chengdu]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2014-06/03/content_17558023.htm |title=Chinese continue to seek justice for Japanese bombings – China |website=Chinadaily.com.cn|access-date=31 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140620070438/http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2014-06/03/content_17558023.htm |archive-date=20 June 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> The massed formation of the G3M bombers provided heavy firepower against [[Development of Chinese Nationalist air force (1937–45)|Chinese fighter planes]] assigned to the defense of Chongqing and Chengdu, which continued to cause problems for the Japanese attacks.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/sino-japanese-1939.htm |title=Håkans Aviation page – Sino-Japanese Air War 1939 |website=Surfcity.kund.dalnet.se|access-date=31 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303232019/http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/sino-japanese-1939.htm |archive-date=3 March 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://ww2today.com/5th-june-1941-thousands-die-in-chungking-raid |title=5th June 1941: Thousands die in Chungking raid |website=Ww2today.com |date=5 June 1941 |access-date=31 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808052317/http://ww2today.com/5th-june-1941-thousands-die-in-chungking-raid |archive-date=8 August 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> [[File:Polikarpov I-16 (China Aviation Museum).jpg|thumb|left|An all-air war was fought over Chengdu between the Chinese Air Force and the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy air forces; an I-16 fighter shown here at the [[Chinese Aviation Museum|Datangshan Aviation Museum]]]] Slow and vulnerable obsolescent Chinese fighter aircraft burning low-grade fuel were still sufficiently dangerous in the hands of capable pilots against the Japanese ''[[schnellbomber]]''-[[Civilian casualties of strategic bombing|terror bombing]] raiders;<ref>Cheung, 2015, p. 72. Imperial Japanese Navy's new supercharged and high-octane fueled engines had almost put the Mitsubishi G3M bombers out of reach of obsolescent Chinese fighter attacks</ref> on 4 November 1939 for instance, Capt. [[Cen Zeliu]] (''[[Wade-Giles]]: Shen Tse-Liu'') led his [[Development of Chinese Nationalist air force (1937–1945)|17th Fighter Squadron, 5th Fighter Group]] of seven cannon-equipped [[Dewoitine D.500|Dewoitine D.510]] fighters in a level head-on attack against an incoming coming raid of 72 [[Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service|IJANF]] [[Mitsubishi G3M|G3M]] bombers (Capt. Cen chose this tactic knowing that the operation of the [[Hispano-Suiza HS.404|Hispano-Suiza HS.404 20mm autocannon]] in his D.510 is likely to fail under the [[G-force|g-loads]] of a high-deflection diving attack), with Capt. Cen pummeling the lead G3M of the IJN's ''[[Kōkūtai|13th Kōkūtai's]] CO'' Captain Kikushi Okuda with cannon fire, sending the G3M crashing down in flames over Chengdu, along with three other G3M bombers destroyed in the Chengdu raid that day.<ref>{{cite web|last=Gustavsson|first=Hakan|title=Chinese biplane fighter aces – Shen Tse-Liu|url=http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/china_tse-liu.htm|access-date=2020-11-15|website=Biplane Fighter Aces of China – Cen Ziliu|quote=Captain Shen and his squadron from past experience had known that when firing in a dive, the spring tension of the drum magazine in the Hispano HS-404 cannon was insufficient to feed the gun causing stoppages|archive-date=30 January 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050130092006/http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/china_tse-liu.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> With the death of Captain Okuda in the air battle over Chengdu, the [[Imperial Japanese Navy|IJN]] {{Nihongo|''[[Ranks of the Imperial Japanese Navy|Kaigun-daisa]]''|海軍大佐}} became the highest-ranking IJN Air officer to be ''[[Killed in action|killed-in-action]]'' in the ''War of Resistance/World War II'' thus far.<ref>{{cite web|last=Chen|first=C. Peter|title=Cen Zeliu – Fighter Pilot|url=https://ww2db.com/person_bio.php?person_id=948|access-date=2020-11-15|website=WW2DB|quote=On 4 Nov 1939, Chinese Air Force Captain shot down the G3M bomber carrying the commanding officer of Imperial Japanese Navy's 13th Air Group commanding officer Captain Kikushi Okuda, who became the highest ranking Japanese Navy air officer to be killed in the war thus far|archive-date=25 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211125111851/https://ww2db.com/person_bio.php?person_id=948|url-status=live}}</ref> In mid- to late-1940, unknown to the Americans and European allies, the Imperial Japanese appeared in the skies over Chongqing and Chengdu with the world's most advanced fighter plane at the time: the [[Mitsubishi A6M Zero|A6M "Zero" fighter]] that dominated the skies over China against the increasingly obsolete Russian-made [[Polikarpov I-15|Polikarpov I-15/I-153]]s and [[Polikarpov I-16|I-16]]s that were the principal fighter planes of the Chinese Nationalist Air Force.<ref name="visitpearlharbor.org">{{cite web|last=LoProto|first=Mark|date=2018-04-09|title=Pearl Harbor Scourge: Mitsubishi A6M Zero|url=https://visitpearlharbor.org/pearl-harbor-scourge-mitsubishi-a6m-zero/|access-date=2020-11-15|website=Visit Pearl Harbor|language=en-US|quote=The Scouge of the A6M Zero|archive-date=30 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130201104/https://visitpearlharbor.org/pearl-harbor-scourge-mitsubishi-a6m-zero/|url-status=dead}}</ref> This would later prove to be a [[wikt:rude awakening|rude awakening]] for the [[Allied forces (World War II)|Allied forces]] in the Pacific War following the [[attack on Pearl Harbor]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://military.answers.com/military-history/japanese-zero-fighters |title=Japanese Zero Fighters |website=military.answers.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812095756/http://military.answers.com/military-history/japanese-zero-fighters |archive-date=12 August 2014 | accessdate=31 August 2022}}</ref> One of the first American ace fighter pilots of the war and original volunteer fighter pilot for the Chinese Nationalist Air Force, [[John Huang Xinrui|Major Huang Xinrui]] (nicknamed "Buffalo" by his comrades) died as a result of battling the Zero fighters along with his squadronmates Cen Zeliu and Lin Heng (younger brother of renowned architect [[Lin Huiyin]]) defending [[Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport#History|Chengdu]] on 14 March 1941.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.century-of-flight.net/Aviation%20history/WW2/aces/Wong%20Sun-Shui.htm |title=Major 'Buffalo' Wong Sun-Shui |website=Century-of-flight.net|access-date=31 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130608041435/http://www.century-of-flight.net/Aviation%20history/WW2/aces/Wong%20Sun-Shui.htm |archive-date=8 June 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/china_wong2.htm |title=Chinese biplane fighter aces – 'Buffalo' Wong Sun-Shui |website=Surfcity.kund.dalnet.se|access-date=31 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714205239/http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/china_wong2.htm |archive-date=14 July 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="visitpearlharbor.org" /><ref>{{cite web|last=Network|first=Warfare History|date=2020-01-10|title=The World War II Allies Were Not Prepared To Fight Japan's Zero Fighter|url=https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/world-war-ii-allies-were-not-prepared-fight-japans-zero-fighter-112921|access-date=2020-11-15|website=The National Interest|language=en|quote=The Japanese Zero fighter terrified allied pilots|archive-date=27 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927212740/https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/world-war-ii-allies-were-not-prepared-fight-japans-zero-fighter-112921|url-status=live}}</ref> Following the [[attack on Pearl Harbor]] at the end of 1941, the United States began setting up stations at airbases in China. In 1944, the American [[XX Bomber Command]] launched [[Operation Matterhorn]], an ambitious plan to base [[Boeing B-29 Superfortress|B-29 Superfortresses]] in Chengdu and strategically bomb the [[Japanese archipelago|Japanese Home Islands]].<ref name="hittinghomepg4">Haulman [[#References|References]] Chapter ''[http://permanent.access.gpo.gov/lps51153/airforcehistory/usaaf/ww2/hittinghome/hittinghomepg4.htm The Superfortress Takes to the Skies] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160104190303/http://permanent.access.gpo.gov/lps51153/airforcehistory/usaaf/ww2/hittinghome/hittinghomepg4.htm |date=4 January 2016 }}'' p. 4</ref> The operating base was located in [[Xinjin Airport]] in the southwestern part of the Chengdu metropolitan area.<ref>Crosby, Jim. [http://www.intergate.com/~sandcrab/China_Bases.htm Location of China Bomber bases, 1944–45] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120218201259/http://www.intergate.com/~sandcrab/China_Bases.htm |date=18 February 2012 }}, [http://www.intergate.com/~sandcrab/ website created by David Wilhelm in memory of Sgt. Daniel L. Wilhelm, USAAF] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213230558/http://www.intergate.com/~sandcrab/ |date=13 December 2013 }}, Retrieved 12 May 2014</ref><ref name="xinhua">{{cite news |url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/mrdx/2005-08/20/content_3379485.htm |script-title=zh:重返新津机场美国老兵泪光闪烁 |work=Xinhua |date=2005-08-20 |language=zh-cn |access-date=12 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160104190303/http://news.xinhuanet.com/mrdx/2005-08/20/content_3379485.htm |archive-date=4 January 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Because the operation required a massive airlift of fuel and supplies over the Himalayas, it was not a significant military success, but it did earn Chengdu the distinction of launching the first serious retaliation against the Japanese homeland.<ref>United States [http://www.anesi.com/ussbs01.htm#taaatjhi Strategic bombing survey summary report (Pacific War)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516014539/http://www.anesi.com/ussbs01.htm#taaatjhi |date=16 May 2008 }}, Washington D.C. 1 July 1946. Page 16.</ref> [[File:PLA Troops entered to Chengdu.jpg|thumb|[[People's Liberation Army]] troops entered Chengdu on 27 December 1949]] During the [[Chinese Civil War]], Chengdu was the last major city on the [[mainland China|Chinese mainland]] to be held by the Kuomintang. President Chiang Kai-shek and his son [[Chiang Ching-kuo]] directed the defense of the city from the Chengdu Central Military Academy ({{Lang-zh|s=黄埔军校成都分校|labels=no}}) until 1949, when [[Communist Party of China|Communist]] forces [[Chengdu campaign|took the city on 27 December]]. The [[People's Liberation Army]] took the city without any resistance after a deal was negotiated between the People's Liberation Army and the commander of the KMT Army guarding the city. On 10 December [[Chinese Nationalist Party retreat to Taiwan|the remnants of the Nationalist Chinese government evacuated]] to [[Taiwan]].<ref name="Cookc">Cook, Chris Cook. Stevenson, John. [2005] (2005). The Routledge Companion to World History Since 1914. Routledge. {{ISBN|0-415-34584-7}}. p 376.</ref><ref>{{cite news|author1=Han Cheung|title=Taiwan in Time: The great retreat|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/archives/2016/12/04/2003660529|access-date=10 December 2016|work=Taipei Times|date=4 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161208045539/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/archives/2016/12/04/2003660529|archive-date=8 December 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Tianfu New Area|Chengdu Tianfu New Area]] is a sustainable planned city that will be outside of Central Chengdu.<!-- Source does not say when --> The city is also planned to be self-sustaining, with every residence being a two-minute walk from a park.<ref name="Davies">{{cite web|last=Davies|first=Alex|title=China Is Building A Huge Eco-City Where No One Will Need To Drive|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/china-is-building-a-nearly-car-free-city-2012-11?op=1|publisher=[[Business Insider]]|access-date=27 January 2013|date=2 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130110081331/http://www.businessinsider.com/china-is-building-a-nearly-car-free-city-2012-11?op=1|archive-date=10 January 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> ====The Great City==== In 2019, Chengdu overtook [[Shenzhen]], China's technology hub, as the best-performing Chinese economy.<ref name="South China Morning Post Publisher">{{cite web |last1=Zhou |first1=Cissy |title=Shenzhen, Beijing lose out to Chengdu as China's best performing city economy, says report |url=https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3033998/shenzhen-beijing-lose-out-chengdu-chinas-best-performing-city |website=South China Morning Post |publisher=South China Morning Post Publisher |date=23 October 2019 |access-date=4 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191104024224/https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3033998/shenzhen-beijing-lose-out-chengdu-chinas-best-performing-city |archive-date=4 November 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> The city has surged in population in the last two decades.<ref name="theguardian.com">{{cite news |last1=Kuo |first1=Lily |title=Inside Chengdu: can China's megacity version of the garden city work? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2019/feb/04/if-we-have-to-leave-we-leave-the-downside-of-life-in-chinas-park-city |newspaper=The Guardian |date=4 February 2019 |access-date=13 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190613091502/https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2019/feb/04/if-we-have-to-leave-we-leave-the-downside-of-life-in-chinas-park-city |archive-date=13 June 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Investments into a Europe-Chengdu Express Railway have been made, providing even more opportunity for the city to grow.<ref name="South China Morning Post Publisher"/> As a way to preserve farmland and accommodate the growing population of Chengdu, China is building a hyper-dense satellite city centered around a central mass-transit hub called the Great City where any destination within the city is within a 15-minute walk.<ref name="businessinsider1">{{cite web |last1=Leanna |first1=Garfield |title=7 megaprojects that will transform Chinese cities by 2050 |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/chinese-megaprojects-real-estate-developments-new-cities-2017-5 |website=Business Insider |publisher=Insider Inc |date=16 May 2017 |access-date=4 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191104024220/https://www.businessinsider.com/chinese-megaprojects-real-estate-developments-new-cities-2017-5 |archive-date=4 November 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="The Atlantic Monthly Group">{{cite web |last1=Architizer |title=A City Where Everything Is a 15 Minute Walk Away |url=https://www.citylab.com/equity/2012/10/city-where-everything-15-minute-walk-away/3715/ |website=City Lab |publisher=The Atlantic Monthly Group |access-date=4 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191104024224/https://www.citylab.com/equity/2012/10/city-where-everything-15-minute-walk-away/3715/ |archive-date=4 November 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> This proto-type city is intended to provide affordable, high-quality lifestyle, which provides people-oriented spaces that [[Effects of the car on societies|does not require a car]] to navigate.<ref name="The Atlantic Monthly Group"/> Their current urban-planning focus in the city of Chengdu is to make the city 'a city within a park' rather than creating parks within a city.<ref name="theguardian.com"/> The Great City falls in line with the Chengdu 'park city' initiative, prioritizing the environment, public space and quality of life. It will consist of 15% park and green space and be situated on a {{cvt|1.3|km2}} area.<ref name="The Atlantic Monthly Group"/> Although 25% of the space will be dedicated to roads, one half of the roads will be [[Pedestrian zone|pedestrian-oriented]]. This transit system provides direct transport to Chengdu itself.<ref name="businessinsider1"/> It is expected that the city will consume 48% less energy than cities of similar size.<ref name="The Atlantic Monthly Group"/> The goal of the 'park city' project is to allow a city like Chengdu to compete with [[Beijing]] and [[Shanghai]] without stripping the city of its character.<ref name="theguardian.com"/> The city of Chengdu is already known for its focus on quality of life, which includes affordable housing, good public schools, trees and bike lanes.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}
Edit summary
(Briefly describe your changes)
By publishing changes, you agree to the
Terms of Use
, and you irrevocably agree to release your contribution under the
CC BY-SA 4.0 License
and the
GFDL
. You agree that a hyperlink or URL is sufficient attribution under the Creative Commons license.
Cancel
Editing help
(opens in new window)