# XIX: End of the Educational Mission explained — My Life in China and America

> Chapter companion for My Life in China and America by Yung Wing.

## What happens

The final installment of students arrives in 1875 under new commissioner Ou Ngoh Liang, appointed by Viceroy Li Hung Chang. Yung Wing is appointed joint minister to Washington but declines, preferring to stay as Commissioner of Education. Chin Lan Pin returns as minister, and Woo Tsze Tung becomes commissioner, leading to false accusations and the eventual recall of all students in 1881 despite protests from American educators.

## Themes in this chapter

### Education as a Tool for National Reform

Yung Wing's dedication to the educational mission as a means to modernize China.

### Corruption and Personal Integrity

Woo Tsze Tung's false accusations and Yung Wing's principled stance against them.

### Political Reform and Revolution

The political maneuvering and opposition that led to the mission's dissolution.

### The West as Model and Mentor

American educators' protest against the recall, emphasizing the value of Western education.

## Character check-ins

### Yung Wing

Commissioner of Education, appointed joint minister to Washington but prefers to stay with the mission.

### Chin Lan Pin

Appointed joint minister to Washington, later returns as minister plenipotentiary.

### Ou Ngoh Liang

New commissioner, quiet disposition, resigned in 1876.

### Woo Tsze Tung

Installed as commissioner in 1876, spread malicious misrepresentations about the students.

### Li Hung Chang

Viceroy who appointed new commissioners and called attention to Woo's accusations.

### Tsang Kwoh Fan

Projected and fathered the educational mission, referenced as 'Tsang the Upright'.

### Yeh Shu Tung

Old Chinese teacher, served in Cuba, appointed secretary to the Chinese Legation.

## Key lines

> It would be like separating the father from his children.

Yung Wing felt that leaving the mission would be like abandoning his own children.

_Expresses his deep commitment to the students._

> The breaking up of the Chinese Educational Commission and the recall of the young students in 1881, was not brought about without a strenuous effort on the part of some thoughtful men...

The dissolution of the mission was opposed by influential Americans who protested the recall.

_Highlights the external support for the mission._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/xix-end-of-the-educational-mission
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters