Historical Studies (Chinese Edition)

No.5, 2014

 

The Transition of the Kuomintang (KMT) Government's Mechanism for Handling US Aid: A Focus on the Chinese Supply Commission

(Abstract)

 

Huangfu Qiushi

 

Due to its need for the US aid and the influence of its internal power structure and personnel change, the KMT government had to adjust its organization handling US aid in order to adapt to the US assistance policy towards China and market conditions. The Chinese Supply Commission, as the successor of China Defense Supplies and predecessor of the Universal Trading Corporation, was a special agency in the KMT government in charge of handling US aid and purchase and deliver supplies, and had played an important role in negotiating on economic and military aid from the US. The process of establishment, reorganization and cancel of the organization reflected the process in which the KMT's mechanism for handling US aid changed from a commercial entity into an administrative one, and again changed back into a commercial one, which also showed the mobility and actual practice of the KMT government towards US aid.