Xi Jinping’s Invocation of Lin Zexu: Drawing Patriotic Inspiration from Historical Defeat

In the complex narrative of China’s modern identity, few historical figures loom as large as Lin Zexu, the Qing dynasty official who became an unlikely national hero through defeat rather than victory. President Xi Jinping has strategically embraced Lin’s legacy, finding in this 19th-century figure a powerful symbol that resonates with contemporary Chinese ambitions and anxieties. Lin, who famously stood against British imperial demands during the First Opium War, represents a paradoxical hero – one whose moral stance and patriotic defiance ended in military failure and national humiliation, yet whose principles have been transformed into a foundation for China’s current resurgence on the world stage. Through carefully highlighting Lin’s determination to protect Chinese sovereignty while downplaying the disastrous consequences that followed, Xi has crafted a usable past that speaks to his vision of a China that will never again suffer the indignities of foreign domination.

The story of Lin Zexu captures both the trauma and inspiration at the heart of China’s national consciousness. Appointed as imperial commissioner in 1839, Lin arrived in Guangzhou (Canton) determined to halt the devastating opium trade that was enriching British merchants while creating widespread addiction among the Chinese population. His bold actions – confiscating and destroying over 1,000 tons of British opium, writing a moral appeal to Queen Victoria, and refusing to bow to foreign pressure – initially appeared as a righteous stand against imperial aggression. However, Lin’s defiance triggered the First Opium War, resulting in China’s decisive defeat, the ceding of Hong Kong, and the imposition of unequal treaties that would haunt China for a century. Though the Qing emperor exiled Lin for his failure, later generations would reclaim him as a patriotic hero who exemplified the moral integrity and national dignity that China aspires to recover in the modern era.

Xi Jinping has deliberately positioned Lin Zexu’s story within his broader “national rejuvenation” narrative, emphasizing how this historical figure embodies the values China must embrace to overcome what the Communist Party calls the “century of humiliation.” In numerous speeches, Xi has praised Lin’s “national integrity” and “moral courage,” while museums, films, and educational materials across China celebrate his patriotic resistance. This selective emphasis on Lin’s principled stand, rather than on the catastrophic consequences that followed, serves Xi’s political purposes by connecting contemporary policies to a venerable historical tradition of defending Chinese sovereignty against foreign threats. The Communist Party presents itself as the culmination of this tradition – the force that finally ended China’s humiliation and restored its rightful place in the world. Lin’s story thus becomes not merely historical but instructive, teaching Chinese citizens that national dignity requires both moral clarity and material strength.

The political utility of Lin Zexu’s legacy extends beyond domestic inspiration to international messaging. When facing trade disputes, territorial conflicts, or human rights criticisms from Western powers, Chinese officials frequently invoke the historical context of imperialism to frame contemporary tensions. Lin’s moral stance against the opium trade becomes a template for China’s current assertions of sovereignty and rejection of what it characterizes as Western hypocrisy. This historical framing presents China not as an aggressive rising power but as a civilization recovering its dignity after profound historical trauma. For international audiences, the Chinese government emphasizes Lin’s commitment to international law and moral principles, highlighting his famous letter to Queen Victoria that questioned the ethics of British merchants profiting from addiction in China while such trade was prohibited in Britain itself. This selective reading transforms Lin from a failed Qing official into a pioneer of fair international relations who spoke truth to imperial power.

The government’s celebration of Lin Zexu reveals a sophisticated approach to historical memory that acknowledges past weakness while redirecting it toward future strength. Under Xi’s leadership, China has developed what scholars call a “victimhood narrative with characteristics of greatness” – a narrative that acknowledges historical suffering but reframes it as the prelude to inevitable triumph. Lin’s story perfectly embodies this dual nature: his moral victory amid military defeat becomes a metaphor for China’s current position. The Party’s message is that China today, unlike in Lin’s time, possesses both the moral authority and material strength to ensure its sovereignty. This narrative carefully balances acknowledging historical trauma (necessary for national cohesion) with projecting confidence (necessary for national ambition). The result is a patriotic education that neither dwells excessively on past humiliations nor forgets the lessons they contain – a delicate balance that serves Xi’s vision of a China that remains vigilant against foreign threats while confidently pursuing its own development path.

The rehabilitation of Lin Zexu from failed official to national hero ultimately reveals how political leadership shapes historical memory to serve present needs. Xi Jinping’s China, like nations throughout history, constructs usable narratives from its complicated past. Lin’s story – with its moral clarity, principled resistance, and tragic aftermath – offers perfect raw material for a regime seeking to balance acknowledging historical trauma with building national confidence. As China continues its rise on the global stage, the figure of Lin Zexu serves as both warning and inspiration: a reminder of past humiliations to be avoided and past courage to be emulated. In drawing upon this complex historical legacy, Xi demonstrates how nations transform even their defeats into foundations for renewed identity and purpose. Lin’s defiant stand against imperial power, though unsuccessful in its time, has become in contemporary China a powerful symbol of the national spirit that Xi promises will prevent such defeats from ever happening again.