RICHARD WILHELM:

The times he lived through were turbulent.  In 1900 the so-called Boxer Rebellion broke out against foreigners who had colonised the country. During this period, Wilhelm was no mere observer. When German troups attacked Chinese villages he, together with a Chinese doctor, intervened as negotiator thus avoiding further bloodshed.

In 1911 he experienced a tremendous turning point in Chinese history when the country became a republic after more than two thousand years of empire.

During the first World War, Germany had lost its Chinese colony and Qingdao was occupied by the Japanese.

In the face of dire conditions, Richard Wilhelm retained his ironic  sense of humour, enabling him to observe the events as they unfolded.

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