Overview of the Shen Keqin papers

Finding aid prepared by Hoover Institution Library and Archives Staff
Hoover Institution Library and Archives
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Title: Shen Keqin papers
Date (inclusive): 1944-2009
Collection Number: 2008C11
Contributing Institution: Hoover Institution Library and Archives
Language of Material: Mainly in Chinese
Physical Description: 8 manuscript boxes, 1 oversize box (3.8 Linear Feet)
Abstract: Speeches and writings, correspondence, printed matter, and photographs, relating to General Sun Liren, Chinese military operations in Burma during World War II, the Chinese Civil War, and political conditions in Taiwan. Includes papers of Sun Liren.
Creator: Shen, Keqin, 1923-
Creator: Sun, Liren, 1900-1990
Physical Location: Hoover Institution Library & Archives

Access

The collection is open for research; materials must be requested in advance via our reservation system. If there are audiovisual or digital media material in the collection, they must be reformatted before providing access.

Use

For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

Acquisition Information

Acquired by the Hoover Institution Library & Archives in 2008.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Shen Keqin papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

Biographical Note

Shen Keqin (1921- ) was Republic of China representative to Thailand (1975-89) and director of the Executive Yuan (1989-90).
From 1949 to 1953, Shen served as secretary to Sun Liren (1899-1990), a general in Chiang Kai-shek's Chinese Nationalist Army. Sun's major military achievements-defeating the Japanese in Burma during World War II and leading the First Army to Manchuria to fight the Chinese Communists-earned him the nickname of "ever victorious general." A graduate of Purdue University and the Virginia Military Institute, Sun also served under the command of General Joseph W. Stilwell and was deemed "one of the ablest, bravest as well as one of the most 'Western-minded' leaders in the Chinese Nationalist high command" by Time magazine. In 1955, while serving as chief of staff, Sun was accused of conspiring to overthrow Chiang Kai-shek's regime in Taiwan. For more than thirty-three years, until his exoneration in 1988, Sun remained under house arrest in Taichung, Taiwan. Not until 2001 did the Control Yuan release a report that posthumously cleared Sun of all charges of wrongdoing and declared there was no evidence to support his involvement in the coup d'etat plot.

Scope and Content of Collection

Shen Keqin's papers primarily concern Sun Liren. Included are Sun's personal and official correspondence, printed matter, strategic maps, confidential reports and pictorials of the Burma Campaign, military directives and instructions, daily activity reports (March-December 1950 and January-October 1951) with notations by Shen, and photographs that depict Sun's military activities. Also included is a manuscript of Shen's publication Sun Liren Zhuan (A Biography of Sun Liren) and research materials used to prepare the book, such as photocopies of official government documents from the Wang Shancong case (i.e., the Case of Sun) and telegrams exchanged between Sun, General Douglas MacArthur, and Chiang Kai-shek.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

World War, 1939-1945 -- China
China -- History -- Civil War, 1945-1949
World War, 1939-1945 -- Campaigns -- Burma
Taiwan -- Politics and government -- 1945-

 

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