The Cooperation And Conflict Between Dong Xianguang And Western Journalists Who Came To China During The War (1937-1945)

The early days of the Anti-Japanese War,Western countries such as the United Kingdom and the United States have a neutral attitude.Facing the severe international situation,Nationalist Government was aware of the importance of external publicity,and established a special external publicity agency,the International Propaganda Department.This organization is led by Hollington K.Tong,who is experienced in journalism.Hollington K.Tong is the earliest journalism professional in China.He has many years of experience in journalism.After taking over the International Propaganda Department,he immediately divided the international propaganda work in detail and formulated a practical propaganda strategy.He advocated the use of Western journalists for propaganda without traces.For this reason,Hollington K.Tong's exchanges with Western journalists during the Anti-Japanese War were very frequent.In order to make better use of Western journalists,he hired Western journalists to work in the International Propaganda Department and provided them with many convenient conditions in their work and life.He provided news materials for Western journalists by holding press conferences,organizing press delegations to go to the frontline interviews,etc.He also established a press guest house to provide a stable and comfortable living environment for journalists.In addition,Hollington K.Tong also managed to invite Western journalists to visit China,hoping to use their reports to promote China's war of resistance.In the middle and late period of the Anti-Japanese War,due to the severe wartime inspection policy during the war,Chiang Kai-shek's interference in propaganda work,and Hollington K.Tong 's own problems,Hollington K.Tong and Western journalists repeatedly collided.Several of the major conflicts mainly revolved around the Communist Party issue.Later,the Stilwell incident further aggravated the contradiction between the two sides.From the cooperation to the conflict,Theodore H.White and Hollington K.Tong are typical representatives of the changes in the relationship between Hollington K.Tong and Western journalists.In the early period of the Anti-Japanese War,Hollington K.Tong cooperated well with Western journalists.He exposed the Japanese atrocities by publishing books,distributing leaflets,and playing movies.He won the sympathy and assistance from Western countries and expanded the influence of China's war of resistance.In the middle and late period of the Anti-Japanese War,Hollington K.Tong had several conflicts with Western journalists.The enthusiasm of Western journalists was reduced.Many Western journalists evaded inspections,sending news that was not conducive to the Nationalist Government to foreign countries,and changed the good impression of Western public opinion on China.To a certain extent,it has affected the external publicity effect.However,on the whole,as an important part of the Anti-Japanese War,publicity is worthy of recognition for exposing the Japanese atrocities,striving for international sympathy and assistance,and improving China's international status.