Repaying malice with virtue
Open-knowledge reference entry
"Repaying malice with virtue" (Chinese: 以德報怨; Wade–Giles: i3tê2pao4yüan4) refers to the summary of public and official policies regarding Chiang Kai-shek's lenient treatment of defeated Japan following World War II. Chiang's post-war declaration centered on "repaying malice with virtue" and his subsequent policy toward Japan had a decisive impact on the post-war fate of Japan, Sino-Japanese relations, and Japan–United States relations, as well as far-reaching effects on the Cold War structure and the order in East Asia.
Although the name of this policy might originate from the Analects or the Tao Te Ching, the former actually states: "If you repay injury with kindness, with what will you repay kindness? Repay injury with justice, and repay kindness with kindness," whereas the latter states: "Recompense injury with kindness." The central philosophical tenets of these two classical texts are quite distinct.
Origin
The series of policies by China concerning lenient treatment toward defeated Japan first explicitly appeared and was broadcast in Chiang Kai-shek's address titled Broadcast Speech to the Armed Forces and Citizens of the Nation and People of the World upon the Victory of the War of Resistance Governors and citizens. On the morning of August 15, 1945, one hour before Emperor Hirohito announced the surrender of Japan, Chiang Kai-shek delivered this speech in front of a microphone at the Central Broadcasting Station in Chongqing, the wartime capital of the Nationalist government. Excerpts from the original text are as follows:
Our War of Resistance has won victory today. Righteousness has triumphed over brute force, achieving its ultimate proof, which marks the success of our National Revolution's historical mission. The conviction of eight years of struggle during our country's dark and desperate times has finally been realized today. For the world peace displayed before us, we must express our gratitude to the fallen soldiers and civilians who sacrificed themselves since the war began, to our allies who fought alongside us for justice and peace, and especially to our Father of the Nation, who led our revolution through hardship along the correct path, allowing us to see this day of victory. Furthermore, Christians worldwide should unanimously thank a just and merciful God.
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