Used to be where Baxian Parliament was

Looking up from People’s Park, the two building are distinctive, standing parallel to each other. The whole feeling of the construction is elegant and serene, not like anything from Jiefangbei across the street.

The Director of the Yuzhong Antique Management Bureau said the buildings, which are of both Chinese and foreign style, were built in the 1920s, almost a century ago. “The two buildings were not initially Foreign Ministry of ROC, they used to be Baxian Parliament and office for KMT in Sichuan Province. Besides, it is also formerly the location of Chongqing Senior High School.”

Renovation 20 years ago found seals by Ministry of Foreign Affairs

In November 1937, the Republic of China announced the transfer of the capital of China to Chongqing. The Government looked and found several sites as its office from 1938 to 1946 due to various reasons in wartime. The director said there used to be several houses below People’s Park, all of which were used as offices for the government. Some served as guest houses for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“It was formally confirmed to be the former place of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of ROC in an overhaul renovation in 1997.” The buildings served as the Yuzhong Library and Yuzhong Cultural Center. “Seals were found in layers of walls that belonged to Ministry of Foreign Affairs of ROC in a renovation in 1997.” Experts confirmed that it was the Ministry over years of investigation and examination, with the help of the clue.

Witness of unequal treaties

It can no longer be known how many ambassadors were received at these buildings, but undoubtedly Chongqing, as the center of the Anti-Japanese War, was a witness of much history.

Until 1943, the Soviet Union, the US, the UK, France, Poland, Belgium and the Netherlands had established embassies in Chongqing, as well as a special government office from India. Foreign affairs were increasing. The Government dealt with other countries through the Ministry.

“During the Anti-Japanese War, the Government had about twenty treaties contracted or revised, with other nations.” The director said that with the outbreak of the Pacific War and the support from all the Chinese people, the Government was able to revoke treaties that put Chinese people into slavery and contracted new ones with them.

On the afternoon of February 5, 1943, over 70,000 people gathered in a parade celebrating the revocation of these unfair treaties. “This little house is the witness of significant history,” said the director. The US, the UK and China became allies that fought together as the Pacific War’s outbreak. Nevertheless, unfair treaties signed with them were still in effect at that time. On October 9, 1942, a 3-month talk between China and the other two countries contributed to the revocation of the old treaties and a new agreement. The message spread all over the country through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China. (Translated by Yang Lifu, Fathom Language Limited)