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Tuan ChijuiChinese military leader and politician.
Date of Birth: 06.03.1865
Country:  China |
Content:
- Early Life and Military Career
- Political Ascendancy
- Pro-Japanese Stance and Downfall
- Second Premiership and Retirement
- Personal Life and Legacy
Early Life and Military Career
Duàn Qíruì (1865-1936) was a prominent Chinese military leader and politician. He was born in Hefei, Anhui province, and attended the Tianjin Military Academy, graduating in 1889.
After graduating, he was assigned to Port Arthur (Lüshun) to oversee the construction of fortifications. He also studied military science in Germany and taught at the Weihai Naval Academy upon his return to China.
In 1896, Duàn was appointed Chief of Artillery by Yuan Shikai, becoming his close associate.
Political Ascendancy
Following the establishment of the Republic of China in 1912, Duàn served as Minister of War in Yuan Shikai's government. In 1916-1918, he became Prime Minister.
On August 14, 1917, Duàn declared China's entry into World War I on the side of the Allied Powers (Entente).
Pro-Japanese Stance and Downfall
After Yuan Shikai's death in 1916, Duàn became the leader of the Anhui Clique. He adopted a pro-Japanese stance.
In late 1918, he was forced to resign under pressure from Western powers, who opposed Japan's growing influence in China. In 1920, he was expelled from Beijing by the Zhili Clique of warlords and fled to the Japanese concession in Tianjin.
Second Premiership and Retirement
In 1924, after a coup in Beijing, Duàn again headed the government as a neutral figure, with the agreement of Zhang Zuolin and Feng Yuxiang.
In the summer of 1926, he withdrew from political life. He fled to Tianjin and later to Shanghai, where he died in 1936.
Personal Life and Legacy
Duàn Qíruì was known for his love of the game of Go. He was also a devout Buddhist, praying every morning in a small temple he had built in his home and visiting Buddhist temples frequently.
