''Su Bao'' (''Jiangsu Daily'' or ''Jiangsu Journal'') was a small-circulation newspaper which circulated in the

Shanghai International Settlement The Shanghai International Settlement () originated from the merger in the year 1863 of the British and American enclaves in Shanghai, in which British subjects and American citizens would enjoy extraterritoriality and consular jurisdiction ...

, China in the late

Qing Dynasty The Qing dynasty ( ), officially the Great Qing,, was a Manchu-led imperial dynasty of China and the last orthodox dynasty in Chinese history. It emerged from the Later Jin dynasty founded by the Jianzhou Jurchens, a Tungusic-speak ...

. The newspaper, owned by Chen Fan and edited by

Zhang Shizhao Zhang Shizhao (; March 20, 1881 – July 1, 1973), courtesy name Xingyan, pen name Huangzhonghuang, Qingtong or Qiutong, was a Chinese journalist, educator, politician of the early 20th century known for his advocacy first of revolutionary cultur ...

of the Patriotic Study Society, was being published in January 1900. It advocated reform and radicalism and supported the Patriotic Academy. ''Su Bao'' was closed down by the authorities in 1903.

Suppression

In the summer of 1903, ''Su Bao'' was suppressed. It had published a series of articles about overthrowing the monarchy and realizing

republicanism Republicanism is a political ideology centered on citizenship in a state organized as a republic. Historically, it emphasises the idea of self-rule and ranges from the rule of a representative minority or oligarchy to popular sovereignty. It ...

. At that time the pioneer of democratic revolution minister,

Zou Rong Zou Rong (; 1885 – 1905) was a Han Chinese nationalist and revolutionary martyr of the anti-Manchu movement. He was born in Chongqing, Sichuan Province, his ancestors having moved there from Meizhou, Guangdong area. Zou was sent to Japan at ...

, published ''Revolutionary Army''. ''Su Bao'' not only published the description of ''Revolutionary Army'' written by Zou Rong, ''the Preface of Revolutionary Army'', written by

Zhang Binglin Zhang Binglin (January 12, 1869 – June 14, 1936), also known by his art name Zhang Taiyan, was a Chinese philologist, textual critic, philosopher, and revolutionary. His philological works include ''Wen Shi'' (文始 "The Origin of Writing"), ...

, and ''Introduction of Revolution Army'', written by Zhang Shizhao, but also spoke highly of them. On June 29, ''Su Bao'' published another article, ''The Relationship between Kang Youwei and Sir Jue Luo'', which not only opposed

Kang Youwei Kang Youwei (; Cantonese: ''Hōng Yáuh-wàih''; 19March 185831March 1927) was a prominent political thinker and reformer in China of the late Qing dynasty. His increasing closeness to and influence over the young Guangxu Emperor spar ...

for his opinion of supporting constitution and refusing revolution, but also challenged

Emperor Guangxu The Guangxu Emperor (14 August 1871 – 14 November 1908), personal name Zaitian, was the tenth Emperor of the Qing dynasty, and the ninth Qing emperor to rule over China proper. His reign lasted from 1875 to 1908, but in practice he ruled, wi ...

and

Empress Dowager Cixi Empress Dowager Cixi ( ; mnc, Tsysi taiheo; formerly Romanization of Chinese, romanised as Empress Dowager T'zu-hsi; 29 November 1835 – 15 November 1908), of the Manchu people, Manchu Nara (clan)#Yehe Nara, Yehe Nara clan, was a Chinese nob ...

. On the same day that the article was published, foreign concession government arrested Zhang Binglin and Zou Rong, and then closed down the newspaper. The Qing government was urged to execute Zhang Binglin and Zou Rong. However, because of huge social pressure, the concession areas sentenced them to life imprisonment in their first trial. Afterwards the authorities were forced to change the sentence of Zhang Binglin to three years and that of Zou Rong to two years.

Significance

The case is memorable in Chinese newspaper history. The feudal class never allowed speeches of offence to governors in order to maintain authoritarian rules. They used literary inquisition as their weapon to control those who dared to say something, especially in Qing and

Ming Dynasty The Ming dynasty (), officially the Great Ming, was an Dynasties in Chinese history, imperial dynasty of China, ruling from 1368 to 1644 following the collapse of the Mongol Empire, Mongol-led Yuan dynasty. The Ming dynasty was the last ort ...

. Since modern times when newspapers came into being, rulers were trying to suppress and control them. ''Su Bao'' case showed a conflict between feudal rulers and modern progressive thought, and may be the oldest and most typical literary inquisition in the press during the history of China.

References

{{reflist Defunct newspapers published in China Mass media in Jiangsu Newspapers published in Shanghai Shanghai International Settlement 1900 establishments in China 1903 disestablishments in China Censorship in China Newspapers established in 1900 Publications disestablished in 1903 Banned newspapers