Penetration and Neocolonialism: The Shen Chong Rape Case and the Anti-American Student Movement of 1946-47

Penetration and Neocolonialism: The Shen Chong Rape Case and the Anti-American Student~oveD1entof1946-47 by James A. Cook The American diplomatic compound in Beiping, China was the site of several celebrations on Christmas Eve 1946.1 Perhaps in the hopes of relieving the feelings of loneliness that many experience when separated from their families during the holidays, the Embassy had sponsored a large party for its staff and the American soldiers recently arrived from the United States. Holiday greetings and large amounts of spirits were passed around during the party. Towards the end of the party several of the younger soldiers headed for the American military bar across from the compound. Among them were two young men, Corporal Pierson Williams and Private William Pritchard. It was 6:30 p.m.2 Earlier in the day, around 4:00 p.m., a young Beijing University student named Shen Chong left her home with a friend and walked towards the theater district next to the U.S. diplomatic compound. Shen had only recently moved to Beiping from Shanghai and was living with an aunt. When the two reached Ping'an theater, Shen's friend realized that she had already seen the picture currently being shown, This Above All (Minzu zhi shang), and decided to return home. Instead of leaving with her friend, Shen chose to stay. She entered the theater and watched the movie, which ended at approximately 8:00 p.m. As she was leaving the theater she did not notice that two American Marines began to follow her. Shen strolled down Dongchang Street towards a local racecourse located within sight of the U.S ~diplomatic compound. As she proceeded by the empty buildings of the complex, Shen was suddenly grabbed by two men in American military uniforms. According to police reports, Shen was forcefully dragged through a small plot of trees· and onto the deserted polo grounds next to the American diplomatic compound. One American Marine threw her to the ground and pinned her down while the other raped Shen not once, but twice. Shen's screams were heard by Meng Jiaojie, a local repairman. Meng ran to the nearest police station and reported what he had heard. The officer on duty, Guan Dejun, dispatched several policemen to the scene. Upon arrival the police apprehended Cpl. Pierson Williams. Pvt. William Pritchard had already escaped. The victim was found sobbing, covered in dirt. REPUBLICAN CHINA, 22.1 (November 1996): 65-97 66 . Republican China After returning to police headquarters, Guan notified his superiors and the Sino-American Police Liaison. The Chinese police were also able to locate five other witnesses who not only had heard Shen's screams, but also stated that they had seen Williams violating Shena Shen's physical appearance certainly corroborated her claims of rape-her coat was unbuttoned and tom, her undergarments undone, the lower portion of her coat was wet, and her hair was disheveled. After her statement was taken, Shen was transported to a local hospital for treatment and later released. Cpl. Williams was booked for rape charges, but was released into the custody of U.S. military police for trial in a U.S. military court. Police records specifically note that a rape did occur and that intercourse had taken place.3 The Shen Chong rape case provoked an immediate and widespread response in China. With student groups taking the lead, demonstrations erupted in most major cities. For example, on 30 December in Beiping, students from seven universities led a demonstration of over 10,000 people. On the following day, a similar procession in Shanghai saw over 20,000 participate.4 Intellectuals, merchant groups, trade unions, and women's groups all issued statements deploring the rape; many demanded that U.S. troops be immediately expelled from China. Why did this case trigger this type of reaction? In order to answer this central question it will be necessary to explore several issues which are closely associated with the crime of rape and the image of the Chinese nation. Ultimately the Shen Chong rape incident proved to be a major turning point in Sino-U.S. relations because it was the most dramatic and symbolic...