| 英文摘要: |
German engineer Heinrich Hildebrand came to China as a spy in 1891, serving at the German Embassy in Beijing and collecting Chinese railway information. In 1892, he began to work for Zhang Zhidong and participated in the construction of the Daye railway and Hanyang Iron Works, among other projects. Recommended by Zhang Zhidong, he was appointed as counselor of the China Railway Company by Sheng Xuanhuai. After Germany took Jiaozhou Bay in 1897, Hildebrand presided over the survey and construction of the Shandong Railway. He served as its General Director and chief engineer for ten years, which was the most important period of his career. As his identity switched from German spy in Zhang Zhidong’s staff to General Director of the Shandong Railway, his colonialist mentality gradually came to the fore, and he took a tough stance when dealing with Chinese officials and workers. He was highly appreciated by Zhang Zhidong and strongly opposed by Yuan Shikai. Western engineers in early modern China played a dual role in the course of China’s modernization. On the one hand, they promoted the cause of China’s modernization as professionals, and on the other hand, they often became spokesmen for and active agents of imperialism. |
