Wellington Koo facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Wellington Koo
顧維鈞
Acting President of the Republic of China
In office 1 October 1926 – 17 June 1927
Premier	Himself
Preceded by	Du Xigui (acting)
Succeeded by	Zhang Zuolin (as Generalissimo of the Military Government)
Premier of the Republic of China
In office 11 January 1927 – 16 June 1927
President	Himself
Preceded by	Himself (acting)
Succeeded by	Pan Fu
Acting Premier of the Republic of China
In office 1 October 1926 – 11 January 1927
President	Himself (acting)
Preceded by	Du Xigui (acting)
Succeeded by	Himself (as Premier)
In office 2 July 1924 – 14 September 1924
President	Cao Kun
Preceded by	Sun Baoqi
Succeeded by	Yan Huiqing
Chinese Ambassador to the United States
In office 27 June 1946 – 21 March 1956
Preceded by	Wei Tao-ming
Succeeded by	Hollington Tong
In office 1915–1920
Preceded by	Kai Fu Shah
Succeeded by	Alfred Sao-ke Sze
Personal details
Born	29 January 1888 Shanghai, Qing Dynasty
Died	14 November 1985 (aged 97) New York City, New York, United States
Nationality	Chinese
Political party	Kuomintang (1942-1985)
Spouses	Chang Jun-o (m. 1908, div. 1912) Tang Pao-yueh "May"(m. 1912–1918, her death) Oei Hui-lan ​ ​ (m. 1920; div. 1959)​ Juliana Young Koo ​ (m. 1959)​
Children	Teh-chang Koo, Patricia Tsien, Yu-chang Wellington Koo Jr., Fu-chang Freeman Koo
Alma mater	Columbia University (BA, MA, PhD)
Occupation	Diplomat, politician
Awards	Order of the Precious Brilliant Golden Grain

Koo Vi Kyuin (Chinese: 顧維鈞; pinyin: Gù Wéijūn; Wade–Giles: Ku Wei-chün; January 29, 1888 – November 14, 1985), known as V. K. Wellington Koo, was an important leader and diplomat for the Republic of China. He was one of China's representatives at the Paris Peace Conference of 1919.

Wellington Koo served as an ambassador, which is a country's top representative, to France, Great Britain, and the United States. He also helped create the League of Nations and the United Nations, which are international organizations that promote peace. From 1957 to 1967, he was a judge at the International Court of Justice in The Hague. For a short time between 1926 and 1927, he was both the acting Premier (like a prime minister) and interim President of China. Wellington Koo was the first Chinese head of state to publicly use a Western name.

Early Life and Education

A portrait of young Wellington Koo

Wellington Koo was born in 1888 in Jiading, which is now a part of Shanghai, China. He grew up in a wealthy family that was open to different cultures. This helped him become fluent in both English and French, which were very useful for his career as a diplomat.

When he was seven years old, China was defeated by Japan in a war, leading to the Treaty of Shimonoseki. This treaty was very unfair to China. Koo later wrote that this event made him want to work for China's strength and to protect it from Japan. His father wanted him to have a "modern" education to prepare him for the 20th century. This was because recent wars showed that modern, industrial countries were much stronger than older, less developed nations. In 1897, Germany took over part of China called Shangdong Province. This further showed young Koo that China needed to modernize to avoid being bullied by stronger powers.

At age 11, Koo went to the Anglo-Chinese Junior College in Shanghai. He learned modern science and geography in English. One day, he rode his bicycle into an area called the International Settlement. An Indian policeman stopped him for riding on the sidewalk, but let an English boy continue. Koo was shocked to learn that foreign laws applied to foreigners in China, but not to Chinese people in their own country. This made him want to end these "Unequal treaties" that gave special rights to foreign countries.

Koo continued his studies at Saint John's University, Shanghai from 1901 to 1904. Then, he went to Columbia University in New York City. He was a great student and joined a debating club. He earned a bachelor's degree in 1908, a master's degree in Political Science in 1909, and a PhD in international law and diplomacy in 1912.

Early Political Career

After finishing his studies, Koo returned to China in 1912. He worked for the Republic of China as the English Secretary to President Yuan Shikai. In 1915, Koo became China's Minister (a type of ambassador) to the United States and Cuba.

Fighting for China at the Paris Peace Conference

In 1919, Wellington Koo was part of the Chinese group sent to the Paris Peace Conference. This conference was held after World War I to decide the terms of peace.

Before the war, Germany had taken control of the city of Qingdao and other rights in the Shandong province of China. During World War I, Japan joined the Allied side and took Qingdao from Germany. Japan then wanted to keep these rights in Shandong, which China strongly disagreed with. Japan also made 21 demands that would have made China almost a Japanese protectorate. China was forced to agree that Japan would take over Germany's rights in Shandong after the war. This caused huge protests in China, known as "National Humiliation Day."

Koo strongly believed that China should not accept Japan's demands. He became friends with U.S. President Woodrow Wilson, who supported China's position. Koo traveled with Wilson to the peace conference in France. Even though he was only 32, Koo was a very strong and impressive speaker.

At the conference, Koo argued that China deserved to be treated as an equal. He pointed out that hundreds of thousands of Chinese workers (called coolies) had helped the Allied armies in France during the war, even though no Chinese soldiers fought in Europe. He said their sacrifices meant China should be respected.

On January 29, 1919, Koo gave a powerful speech. He argued that the treaties China was forced to sign with Germany and Japan were not valid because China signed them under threat. He also used President Wilson's idea of "national self-determination," which means people should decide their own future. Koo said that the people of Shandong were Chinese and wanted to be part of China. He called Shandong "the cradle of Chinese civilization, the birthplace of Confucius and Mencius and a Holy Land for the Chinese." French Premier Georges Clemenceau praised Koo's speech.

However, the major powers like Britain and the U.S. had secretly agreed to support Japan's claims. President Wilson, who Koo had hoped would help, eventually supported Japan, saying it was "better to live up to a bad treaty than tear it up." This was a big disappointment for Koo.

On May 4, 1919, the decision was made to give Germany's former rights in Shandong to Japan. This sparked the May Fourth Movement in China, where many students protested. Koo received thousands of messages from Chinese students asking him not to sign the Treaty of Versailles if it meant giving Shandong to Japan.

Koo also pushed for an end to other unfair practices like extraterritoriality (where foreigners were not subject to Chinese laws). Because his demands were refused, the Chinese delegation was the only nation that did not sign the Treaty of Versailles. Koo found a clever way for China to still join the League of Nations (a new international organization for peace). He signed a different treaty, the Treaty of St. Germain, which also included the League of Nations agreement. This allowed China to become a member without signing the Versailles Treaty that gave Shandong to Japan.

Diplomatic Roles and Challenges

Koo was involved in setting up the League of Nations and became China's first representative there. In 1921, he became the Chinese minister to Britain. He and his wife, Hui-lan Oei, made a great impression in London society.

In October 1921, Koo was sent to Washington to represent China at the Washington Conference. This conference was a big success for Koo. Japan agreed to give up its claims to Shandong, and other countries signed the Nine-Power Treaty, which supported China's independence. After this, Koo returned to China as a national hero.

From 1922, Koo served as China's Foreign Minister and Finance Minister. In 1924, he was almost assassinated by a bomb hidden in a gift. Later that month, he signed a treaty with the Soviet Union. He also tried to get the British colony of Weihaiwei returned to China, as its 25-year lease had expired.

During a chaotic period in Beijing from 1926 to 1927, Koo served twice as acting Premier and even as interim President. He often argued with the British minister in Beijing, Sir Miles Lampson, about China's right to control its own tariffs (taxes on imports) and the end of British extraterritoriality.

After the Northern Expedition changed the government in 1928, Koo was briefly wanted for arrest. But he soon rejoined the diplomatic service. He represented China at the League of Nations to protest Japan's invasion of Manchuria. However, the League did not take strong action against Japan.

Ambassador in Paris and World War II

In 1932, Koo became the Chinese minister in Paris and also led the Chinese delegation to the League of Nations in Geneva. When a report confirmed that Japan had attacked China, Koo strongly urged the League to act. But Japan simply left the League.

During the Abyssinia Crisis in 1935, when Italy invaded Ethiopia, Koo supported applying sanctions (penalties) against Italy. He hoped this would set a rule for the League to help China if Japan invaded. However, the League's failure to stop Italy showed its weakness.

In 1936, Koo became the first Chinese ambassador to France. He worked hard to gain support for China among French leaders. When Japan invaded China in July 1937, Koo worked tirelessly to find a diplomatic solution. He was very worried as Japanese forces advanced into China.

China needed to import weapons, and Koo's main job in Paris was to ensure weapons could be sent to China through French Indochina (modern Vietnam). He often persuaded the French government to keep this route open, despite Japanese threats. Koo believed that Western powers should support China to prevent Japan from becoming too powerful.

He continued to appeal to the League of Nations, asking them to declare Japan an aggressor and impose sanctions. But Britain and France, who had veto power, prevented strong action. They argued that the U.S. was not part of the League, and sanctions would not work without American support.

In November 1937, Koo led the Chinese delegation to a conference in Brussels. He hoped the U.S. would take a strong stand, but he was disappointed. The U.S. and European powers were unwilling to confront Japan directly.

When Germany invaded Poland in September 1939, starting World War II in Europe, Koo suggested that China formally join the Allied powers. In June 1940, France surrendered to Germany and stopped all arms sales to China. Koo briefly served as ambassador in Vichy, France, under difficult conditions. He continued to try to persuade French officials to resume arms shipments.

Ambassador in London and the End of Unequal Treaties

Koo in 1945

After France's surrender, Koo became the Chinese Ambassador to Britain in 1941. He sent his family to New York for safety. His main goal in London was to get British support for China, especially to keep the Burma Road open. This road was China's main supply route after the French route closed.

When Japan attacked British colonies in December 1941, Koo helped arrange for Chinese troops to go to Burma to help the British. This showed how World War II was changing global politics. The Japanese victories in Southeast Asia made British officials more respectful of China, as they realized China's fight against Japan was important for the Allied cause.

Koo also worked hard to end the "unequal treaties" from the 19th century, especially British extraterritorial rights in China. On January 11, 1943, Koo signed a new treaty in London. This treaty meant Britain gave up all its special rights in China. Although Britain refused to return Hong Kong, Koo called this treaty "a really an epoch-making event—the biggest treaty in a century."

In 1943, China's leader, Chiang Kai-shek, visited India and spoke in favor of Indian independence. Koo had to explain China's position to the British, who mostly wanted to keep control of India.

Koo believed that China, Britain, and the U.S. should form an alliance after the war. He thought that with the unequal treaties gone, a strong partnership was possible.

United Nations and Later Life

In 1945, Wellington Koo was one of the important people who helped create the United Nations. This organization was formed to promote peace and cooperation among countries after World War II.

Later, he became the Chinese Ambassador to the United States. His main focus was to keep the alliance strong between the Republic of China and the U.S., especially as the Kuomintang government faced challenges from the Communists and eventually moved to Taiwan.

Koo retired from diplomatic service in 1956. In the same year, he became a judge at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, where he served for ten years. He was also the court's vice-president for his last three years. In 1967, he retired completely and moved to New York City. He lived there until his death in 1985.

In an interview in 1969, Koo reflected on the Paris Peace Conference. He said it was a turning point for China because many Chinese intellectuals had hoped Western powers would treat China as an equal. When this didn't happen, public opinion in China turned against Western countries. He noted that the new Communist government in Russia, which gave up its special rights in China, gained a lot of respect in China. This helped lead to the founding of the Chinese Communist Party.

Family Life

Wellington Koo was married four times.

• His first wife was Chang Jun-o. They married in 1908 and divorced in 1912.
• His second wife was Tang Pao-yueh "May" (c. 1895–1918). She was the daughter of a former Chinese prime minister. They married in 1912. She sadly died in 1918 during the "Spanish flu" pandemic. They had two children: a son, Teh-chang Koo, and a daughter, Patricia Tsien.
• His third wife was the famous socialite Oei Hui-lan (1889–1992). They married in Brussels, Belgium, in 1921. She was known for her unique fashion style. Oei Hui-lan was the daughter of a very wealthy Chinese-Indonesian businessman. She wrote two memoirs about her life. Wellington Koo had two sons with her: Yu-chang Wellington Koo Jr. and Fu-chang Freeman Koo.
• On September 3, 1959, Koo married his fourth wife, Yen Yu-yun (1905–2017). She lived even longer than he did, passing away at 111 years old.

Death

Wellington Koo lived a very long life, dying at the age of 97 on November 14, 1985. He passed away surrounded by his family. He lived longer than many other important Chinese leaders. Both his third and fourth wives also lived to be very old, with Juliana Koo living to be 111.

Images for kids

• Madame Wellington Koo (née Hui-lan Oei) with baby

  Madame Wellington Koo (Oei Hui-lan) with her baby.

Error: no page names specified (help). In Spanish: Wellington Koo para niños