Italians in Nationalist China (1928–1945): some case studies

Abstract

The collaboration between Italy and China in the Republican era (1912-1949) takes place in the context of a very complex and controversial historical period in terms of the political and diplomatic relations between the two countries. This was a period filled with positive moments and aspects as well as tension and mutual incomprehension. It was characterized by separation during the Second World War when Italy decided to align itself with Japan and recognize the collaborationist regime of Wang Jingwei. In 1928 the birth of the Nanjing Government headed by Chiang Kai-shek marked the beginning of a new chapter in the history of Sino-Italian relations: a new treaty was signed on November 27, 1928, replacing the previous treaty of 1866. The 1928 treaty became necessary after the birth of the Nanjing National Government and also reflected changes which occurred in Italy from the early 1920s, when the Fascists took power. In the treaty Italy recognized China’s tariff autonomy and agreed to the abolition of extraterritorial rights, nevertheless subordinating its waiver to analogous decisions by all the signatory powers to the Treaty of Washington. This chapter aims to depict Italy-China relations from 1928 to 1945, with a special focus on the difficult years of the Sino-Japanese War and the Second World War, through the stories of a number of Italians, including both wellknown and completely unknown figures. First of all, however, it starts by discussing some aspects and trends in Sino-Italian relations in more general terms, in order to provide a deeper understanding of the historical context. In the second part, the chapter presents some case studies beginning with the case of Alberto De’ Stefani, who was nominated Financial Adviser to the Chinese Government between 1936 and the summer of 1937, and whose story symbolizes one of the last acts of collaboration between Rome and Nanjing. Then, it analyzes the experience of Carina Balsamo Sforza, who followed her husband (an officer in the Italian army) on his journey first to China and later on to Japan, countries in which the couple remained for some years. Her recollections will allow us to delineate well-known aspects as well as lesser known details about the situation during those years. Lastly, it presents the case of one of the many Italians who were taken prisoner in China after September 8, 1943: Otello Parpajola. Parpajola’s fate in many ways reflects the political and human tragedy experienced by Italy in the latter part of the conflict, whenItalians – even those far from their homeland – were obliged to side with either Badoglio or Mussolini.