''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 1863 merger of the British Concession (Shanghai), British and American Concession (Shanghai), American list of former foreign enclaves in China, enclaves in Shanghai, in which Brit ...

, China in the late

Qing Dynasty The Qing dynasty ( ), officially the Great Qing, was a Manchu-led Dynasties of China, imperial dynasty of China and an early modern empire in East Asia. The last imperial dynasty in Chinese history, the Qing dynasty was preceded by the ...

. The newspaper, owned by Chen Fan and edited by Zhang Shizhao 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 that encompasses a range of ideas from civic virtue, political participation, harms of corruption, positives of mixed constitution, rule of law, and others. Historically, it emphasizes the idea of self ...

. At that time the pioneer of democratic revolution minister, Zou Rong, 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 political thinker and reformer in China of the late Qing dynasty. His increasing closeness to and influence over the young Guangxu Emperor sparked confli ...

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

Empress Dowager Cixi Empress Dowager Cixi ( ; 29 November 1835 – 15 November 1908) was a Manchu noblewoman of the Yehe Nara clan who effectively but periodically controlled the Chinese government in the late Qing dynasty as empress dowager and regent for almost 50 ...

. 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 of China, imperial dynasty of China that ruled from 1368 to 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol Empire, Mongol-led Yuan dynasty. The Ming was the last imperial dynasty of ...

. 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 1903 in Shanghai