Pan Dingxin Explained

Pan Dingxin (; 1828–1888) was a Qing dynasty governor and military commander of the Huai Army, best known for his role in the Sino-French War.^{[1] [2]}

Early life

Pan was born in Lujiang, Anhui Province. He began his education with his father Pan Xiao'an, a teacher. One of his classmate was Liu Bingzhang. He passed the county exam (Chinese: 考秀) and then the provincial exam, obtaining the juren degree in 1849.^[3]

Career

He edited biographies at the Guoshiguan, National History Bureau (国史馆). When the Taiping Rebellion broke out, he ran militia and eventually had his own army, the Ding Battalion (; also Ting-tzu-ying). He was a commander in the civil wars against the Taiping Rebellion and the Nian Rebellion.^{[1] [2]} He served as governor of Shandong in 1865, Yunnan in 1876 and Guangxi in 1884.,^{[1] [2] [4]} He was most noted for his role during the Sino-French War: Battle of Đồng Đăng, Battle of Bang Bo (Zhennan Pass), Kep Campaign.

Movie

Pan Dingxin is at the center of the movie The War of Loong (2017)

Further reading

• Li Hongzhang zhi Pan Dingxin shu zha (Chinese: 李鴻章致潘鼎新書札), Publisher: Wenhai Chubanshe, [1980], Taipei.

Notes and References

1. Spector, Stanley (1964). Li Hung-chang and the Huai Army. Seattle: University of Washington Press. LCCN 64-11052.
2. Folsom, Kenneth E. Friends (1968). Friends, Guests, and Colleagues. Los Angeles: University of California Press. LCCN 67-26479.
3. Biography of Pan Dingxin, in Draft History of Qing
4. Web site: 省级机构 . Guangxi Chronicles (广西地方志) . 2015-09-05.