After the years of devastation and blood shedding the Second World War ended in 1945. The time when globally, giant cities were the symbol of destruction and millions of brilliant minds lost their lives for nothing, and nations/states were exhausted. But leaders had to face an urgent question: how could humanity prevent a recurrence of such a disastrous course? So, this resolution came into reality in San Francisco where the representatives of fifty independent states met to form a new international organization- The United Nations. The aim was radical to build a system that would protect the peace, eliminate armed conflict, and provide countries with a platform to pursue joint effort.
In this complete scenario, China was given a special position in this historic meeting as the country had earned the status of a leading power despite the challenges of poverty, internal political fragmentation and the long term war against Japan. China fought against Japanese aggression in a period of fourteen years and lost millions of lives and lots of resources. The fact that it was a key player in the anti-fascist movement barred in its marginalization in the post-war system. Along with the United States, Britain, and the Soviet Union, China was listed among the four major powers in the organization, the Big Four, meaning that it was a key protector of world peace. This was a moment of national pride to a nation that has often been seen as weak and has suffered colonial humiliation.
The face of Chinese diplomacy in the Chinese official delegation in San Francisco comprised of the most elite male diplomats including T.V.Soong, the Foreign Minister and V.K.Wellington Koo, a seasoned statesman with his polished English and knowledge of international law. These diplomats through their speeches, debate clauses, and interaction with other world leaders raised the voice of China. However, such simplicity is rarely found in historical accounts. Under the shadow of these famous people, there was a woman named Wu Yi-fang, who was also the part of this delegation. She was neither a diplomat nor a traditional governmental official.
Wu was the president of Ginling College in Nanjing, and became one of the first women in China to be called the university president. She was born in 1893, and grew up in an era of dramatic transition in China from deep-rooted tradition to the emerging modernity. After the early loss of her parents, Wu forced herself to utilize most of her time in pursuing education that not only redefined her personality but glittered her professional career, so she studied abroad and acquired her PhD degree in biology from the University of Michigan. After her Ph.D. she decided to return back to her dear homeland and devoted her time in practicing pedagogy and institutional change so she engaged herself in the process of societal transformation and became the true picture of women empowerment but through education.
By selecting Wu Yi-fang as a representative of the Chinese delegation for the San Francisco Conference, the Chinese government was making an unspoken, yet strong statement. When the diplomatic tables are dominated by the males, Chinese Government decided to send a woman. This was not a token gesture but represents the vision of China that connects the national power with social development. She highlights the importance of peace that not solely depends on military strength or alliances of super powers, but based on the norms of informed citizens, societal equity and human dignity. Role of education and post war human rights were the key pointers of her speech at the conference. She declared right of learning and life with dignity (men and women both) to be the key elements of sustainable peace which China actually dreamt of not only for itself, but for the whole world. So her words provided a platform not only to men but for women as well to have equal rights and role to contribute for the country and the world, portraying the new face and dimension of China that believes in gender equality and made Wu a symbolic figure among the number of male delegates (Wu was one out of four females in the conference).
The inclusion of Wu by the state of China and her bold participation lead to the new silent revolution taken up by the progressive China with a vision to accept women in every role, at every step and at every designation which define leadership in practice, selling the vision of equity and equality which was free from gender biasness and China’s dream of developing a new world. Like so many other historic women in the world, Wu Yi-fang was also remembered as the 1st leading post-war voice of Women and seedling sowed by the state of China at the conference that became the norm for the inclusion of Women for the societal development, world peace, and at various forums of UN.
In history, her name was not so popular and marked, however, it definitely forced us to view the vision of China at that time. Today, China’s growth and development in education, health, leadership, diplomacy and governance is the true representation of Wu’s vision symbolized by a forward looking China where inclusion of women is not the matter of grand strategies and power politics, but to embark values where her vision still echoes in the national efforts to balance development with social equity, and to position itself as a leading voice in shaping global governance. The legacy of Wu and several other women diplomats (like Soong Ching ling, Yat-sen, Deng Yuzhi, Chao Mao Hua, Shen Zijiu, Liu Hulan and many more) during and post-war situations are unforgettable and leaves a track to be followed. Following the norms of Wu, Chinese government still employed culture, education, and development initiatives as instruments of the diplomacy based on the principles of soft power and the ability to draw instead of using a force, which was first put into practice by the women like Wu, who considered and highlighted the role of knowledge, dignity, and opportunity for all to be the pillars of peace at the platform of conference at San Francisco which later built the foundation of United Nations.
Today, when the world is commemorating 80 years since the triumph over the anti-fascist war and the establishment of the United Nations, it is very easy to recall the hard work of men, different leaders, armed persons and diplomats. But anniversaries are the time to unfold the pages of history where lots of unsung architects like Wu are buried into dusty pages of history. This article is a small tribute to acknowledge the silent architects of the World with a special praise to the state of China for their outstanding vision and insight even at the time of crisis in 1945. A vision that transformed the destiny of the Chinese nation.
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