# Yung Wing — My Life in China and America character guide > Yung Wing in My Life in China and America by Yung Wing. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Commissioner Yung Wing, Of Wing, Wing, Mandarin Yung Wing, Yung **First appearance:** 0002-my-life-in-china-and-america ## Snapshot A Chinese boy educated in New England who returns home determined to drag his country into the modern world, one student at a time. ## Who they are Yung Wing moves between two civilizations—schooled at Yale, employed by Qing viceroys, and trusted by neither side completely. His driving obsession is a mission to send Chinese boys to American schools so China can represent herself abroad instead of hiring foreigners. Every memorial he writes, every arsenal he equips, and every year he waits for approval tests whether patience and patriotism can outlast an empire's inertia. ## Relationships ### [Chin Kiang](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/characters/chin_kiang) _professional_ Chin Kiang and Yung Wing worked together on educational and diplomatic projects, with Chin often facilitating Yung's initiatives. ### [Li Sien Lan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/characters/li_sien_lan) _professional_ Li Sien Lan and Yung Wing had a working relationship, with Li supporting Yung's educational reforms. ### [Ou Ngoh Liang](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/characters/ou_ngoh_liang) _professional_ Ou Ngoh Liang and Yung Wing worked together on modernization projects, with Ou providing bureaucratic support. ### [Chin Lan Pin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/characters/chin_lan_pin) _professional_ Chin Lan Pin and Yung Wing were colleagues in the Chinese Educational Mission, though they had differing views on its management. ## In the story ### [My Life in China and America](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/my-life-in-china-and-america) The author and central figure, whose life story is chronicled. ### [I: Boyhood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/i-boyhood) Narrator and protagonist; born in 1828, enters Mrs. Gutzlaff's school, later works to support family. ### [II: School Days](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/ii-school-days) The youngest of the first class, he is the first to rise when Brown offers to take pupils to America, and he persuades his reluctant mother to let him go. ### [III: Journey to America and First Experiences There](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/iii-journey-to-america-and-first-experiences-there) Narrator of the journey, describes his first impressions of America and his stay at the Bartlett parsonage. ### [At Monson Academy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/iv-at-monson-academy) Narrates his time at Monson Academy, deciding to stay in America for further studies and aiming for Yale. ### [V: My College Days](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/v-my-college-days) Reflects on his college years, struggles with finances and academics, and his determination to use education for China's regeneration. ### [VI: Return to China](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/vi-return-to-china) Returns to China after ten years, reunites with his mother, and begins relearning Chinese language and customs. ### [VII: Effort to Find a Position](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/vii-effort-to-find-a-position) Narrator and protagonist, seeking a position to support his mother and pursue his reform ideas. ### [VIII: Experiences in Business](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/viii-experiences-in-business) Works as a clerk in an English firm, then as a translator; gains recognition in Shanghai; declines comprador position; sent to tea districts. ### [IX: My First Trip to the Tea Districts](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/ix-my-first-trip-to-the-tea-districts) Narrator and protagonist, undertaking his first trip into the interior of China to purchase tea and silk. ### [My Visit to the Taipings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/x-my-visit-to-the-taipings) Narrator and traveler, seeking to understand the Taiping movement and considering whether to support them. ### [XI: Reflections on the Taiping Rebellion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/xi-reflections-on-the-taiping-rebellion) Author and narrator, providing reflective analysis on the Taiping Rebellion. ### [XII: Expedition to the Taiping Tea District](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/xii-expedition-to-the-taiping-tea-district) Narrator and leader of the tea expedition, seeking fortune after abandoning hopes in the Taipings. ### [XIII: My Interviews with Tsang Kwoh Fan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/xiii-my-interviews-with-tsang-kwoh-fan) Receives letters from Tsang Kwoh Fan's secretaries, deliberates on the invitation, and eventually meets the Viceroy to discuss the machine shop project. ### [My Mission to America to Buy Machinery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/xiv-my-mission-to-america-to-buy-machinery) Commissioned to buy machinery, travels to America, attends Yale reunion, offers to serve in Civil War. ### [XV: My Second Return to China](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/xv-my-second-return-to-china) Returns to China, reports to Viceroy Tsang, and is promoted to mandarin of the fifth rank. ### [XVI: Proposal of My Educational Scheme](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/xvi-proposal-of-my-educational-scheme) Proposes his educational scheme and drafts four proposals for government reform. ### [XVII: The Chinese Educational Mission](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/xvii-the-chinese-educational-mission) As commissioner, he oversees the mission, selects students, and arranges their placement in New England. ### [XVIII: Investigation of the Coolie Traffic in Peru](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/xviii-investigation-of-the-coolie-traffic-in-peru) Returns to China to introduce the Gatling gun, confronts the Peruvian Commissioner, and investigates coolie conditions in Peru. ### [XIX: End of the Educational Mission](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/xix-end-of-the-educational-mission) Commissioner of Education, appointed joint minister to Washington but prefers to stay with the mission. ### [Journey to Peking and Death of My Wife](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/xx-journey-to-peking-and-death-of-my-wife) Narrator and protagonist; returns to China to report after his diplomatic term, visits Li Hung Chang, and later returns to the U.S. to care for his ailing wife. ### [XXI: My Recall to China](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/xxi-my-recall-to-china) Recalled to China by Viceroy Chang Chi Tung; proposes war plans, serves as secretary, and attempts banking and railroad projects. ### [XXII: The Coup d'État of 1898](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/xxii-the-coup-d-tat-of-1898) Narrator and central figure; flees Peking after the coup, organizes reform association, and later confronts Kodama in Formosa. ### [Appendix](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/appendix) Although not named directly, the mission described is the Chinese Educational Mission, which Yung Wing conceived and helped establish. ### [Commissioner Yung Wing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/commissioner-yung-wing) The central figure of the chapter, whose life story and character are the focus. ### [In Yale College](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/in-yale-college) Central figure; attends Yale, excels in English composition, struggles with poverty, decides against ministry, and resolves to return to China. ### [Taking First Steps in Life](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/taking-first-steps-in-life) Seeks to implement his grand scheme by seeking influential positions; meets Viceroy Tsang Kwoh Fan. ### [Made a Mandarin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/made-a-mandarin) Endures years of trial and loneliness, persists in his educational reform plan, and is appointed Mandarin of the fifth rank, later advancing to the fourth. ### [An Opportunity Seized](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/an-opportunity-seized) Seizes the opportunity to push his educational scheme; appointed Chief Commissioner and later Associate Minister. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/characters/yung_wing - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/characters