Editing Chengdu (section)

===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.&nbsp;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}}