Chiang Kai-shek's Teacher and Ambassador

About the Book

To people interested in the history of the Republic of China, this book is a must read. The author Hollington K. Tong was a member of President Chiang Kai-shek’s inner circle. He had detail knowledge of many intriguing events of that time. After the founding of the Republic of China in 1911, the various parts of the country were controlled by many warlords. Chiang’s successful Northern Expedition unified the country. But a civil war with the Communists started and followed by a Japanese invasion and World War II. General Stilwell’s dislike of Chiang influenced a change in American policy towards Free China, which most likely caused the fall of mainland China to the Communists. Miraculously, Free China in Taiwan has survived and prospered to this day.

About the Author

Hollington K. Tong was from a poor Christian family in China. He graduated in journalism from the University of Missouri and from Columbia University in the early 1900s. Upon returning to China, he worked as a journalist and later became the chief editor of a large English-language newspaper in Shanghai. Due to his proficiency in English, and his honesty and abilities, government officers including President and Madame Chiang Kai-shek often invited him to accompany them on their overseas trips. He was appointed Vice-Minister of Information in 1937.

In 1949, the Communists overran mainland China. The Nationalist government retreated to Taiwan, but was in great danger of falling. During those gloomy years, President Chiang repeatedly sent Tong overseas to assess other nations’ positions towards Free China. From this he stepped into the diplomatic service, first as Ambassador to Japan, then as Ambassador to the United States. In 1958, he retired at the age of 71. He became an active lay Christian preacher in Taiwan and wrote many books.