CHINESE EASTERN RAILROAD Meaning and
Definition
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Chinese Eastern Railroad refers to a historical railway system that operated in northeastern China during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Extending from the city of Dalian (Port Arthur) to the Chinese-Russian border at Hailar, the Chinese Eastern Railroad played a significant role in connecting China's northeast region with the Trans-Siberian Railway and the Russian rail network.
This railway system was initially built and operated by the Russian Empire starting from 1897 as a direct result of the Treaty of Tientsin, which granted Russia the right to construct a railway across Chinese territory. The Chinese Eastern Railroad became a vital transportation artery in the region, facilitating trade and military movements between Russia, China, and other neighboring countries. It served as a crucial link for the Russian military during the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905.
However, the Chinese Eastern Railroad has also been a subject of dispute throughout its history. Russia's control over the railway and its surrounding territories raised concerns among Chinese nationalists and contributed to the tensions between China and Russia during the early 20th century.
Following the Russian Revolution of 1917, the Chinese Eastern Railroad was eventually transferred to Chinese control, and its administration became a joint venture between China and the Soviet Union. Later, after the establishment of the People's Republic of China, the railroad was fully claimed by China and integrated into the country's national railway system. The Chinese Eastern Railroad remains significant historically, symbolizing a period of foreign influence in China's northeastern region and the complexities of its relationship with Russia.
