英文摘要
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In November 1936, Germany and Japan concluded the Antikomintern-Pakt. Previous research examined the event from the perspectives of Germany or Japan, ignoring China' observation and reactions. This study explores China' view on the agreement and its responding measures. Upon concluding the Pact both Germany and Japan declared that there were no secret clauses, but the claim was not believed by other countries. The Chinese government collected information about possible secret clauses from diplomatic envoy and newspaper reports. Chiang Ting-fu, China's ambassador to the Soviet Union, obtained the content of secret clauses from the Soviet Union but was unable to determine whether it was reliable. China's main concern about the Pact was it impact on Sino-German military cooperation and Sino-Japanese relations. Although China and Germany still maintained friendly relation and an arms trade, the Nationalist Government was worried. Chiang Kai-shek tried to replace Sino-German military cooperation with a Sino-British one, but the effort was not successful. The Pact had provisions for inviting third countries to join. As Germany and Japan singed the Pact, a Sino-Japanese talk on readjusting relations was being held. China rejected Japan's proposal of signing a Sino-Japanese Anti-Comintern Pact during the talk. Through diplomatic channels, China requested assurance from Germany that it will not pressure China to enter into such an agreement on behalf of Japan because of the Antikomintern-Pakt. This study confirms the view of "intelligence-driven diplomacy." It also reveals a fundamental difference between Sino-German relations and Japanese-German relations at the time. While the former was based primarily on traditional official ties, the latter was connected through the Nazi Party.
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