國立政治大學歷史學系

北伐後期以降的中英互動與海盜問題交涉(1928-1929)

Détente and Negotiations over Piracy between China and Britain after the Northern Expedition, 1928-1929

本文主要擬反思隨著國民革命北伐軍事行動進到尾聲，當中英關係也因北伐影響而逐步改善的大環境下，雙方合作處理廣東海盜問題的實際情況。尤其將關注在這一段期間主掌廣州政局的李濟深與英國之間的關係。由於廣東毗鄰香港，雙方商貿連動、關係密切，故英國一直希望能夠扶植出一個對英親善的廣州當局。自國民革命軍北伐軍事行動開展，隨著國民黨軍政領袖陸續北上，留守廣東的李濟深則成為英國關注的對象，積極疏通與李濟深之間的關係。李濟深本人也對英國抱持著較為友善的態度。因此，在北伐期間，雖然整體中英關係仍陷入低盪之際，英國與李濟深之間已經慢慢開展互動關係。對於英國亟欲解決的廣東海盜問題，李濟深也開始釋出善意，採取實際軍事行動來打擊海盜勢力。其次，對海盜肆虐深惡痛絕的不只英國，廣東本地商民長期以來即備受海盜勢力的欺凌與劫掠。而海盜活動的猖獗，非但對百姓身家性命以及商貿活動構成危害，也會間接影響到地方稅收。故李濟深無論是出於對自己地盤收入的確保，或是保境安民的需求，還是為北伐前線提供穩定大後方等諸多考量，均必須正視海盜活動的危害。再者，整體中英關係，也隨著北伐的進程，而有著極大的變化。特別是隨著日本在山東介入北伐軍事行動，為了提高與日本外交周旋的力量，國民政府必須拉攏英國，故在對英外交上必須改變以往的敵對態度。即是之故，在1928-29年間，國民政府與廣州當局均開始對英國展現更大的善意，並以實際行動來試圖解決華南水域的海盜問題。在這樣的大環境下，英國不但調整以往軍火禁運中國的政策，兩度協助廣州當局生產適合的反盜汽艇，並提供所需的各類軍火，同時也對於中國方面的剿盜成效，開始抱持正面的評價。

The focus of this article is the cooperation between China and Britain in suppressing piracy from 1928 to 1929, as the two countries had gradually improved their relationship since the later part of the Northern Expedition. Particularly, attention will be paid to the interactions between the Canton authority under Li Chi-sum and Britain. Hong Kong was closely connected to Canton in terms of both location and commerce, and such connection explained why the British government always wanted to support a friendly Canton authority. With the launch of the Northern Expedition, the headquarters of Kuomintang was moved to the Yangtze valley, and Li Chi-sum was ordered to stay in Canton to manage the home front. The British and Hong Kong government were committed to maintaining a friendly relationship, and in return Li Chi-Sum gave a positive response. Thus, the British gradually developed closer interaction with Li Chi-sum, while the overall Sino-British relationship was far from improving. Li Chi-sum began to pay attention to and deal with piracy, a problem that the British government had hoped to resolve for a long time. In addition, piracy not only bothered the British, it caused tremendous loss to the local business and residents of Canton. Rampant pirating threatened the safety of civilians, jeopardized regular commerce, and affected tax income. It was necessary for Li Chi-sum to face the severity of piracy, otherwise it might undermine his status and power in Canton and China. Furthermore, the Sino-British relationship also underwent significant changes as the Northern Expedition progressed. As the Japanese Army intervened in Shantung, the Nationalist government adjusted its foreign policy toward Britain: moving from confrontation to cooperation. China needed to win the Britain’s diplomatic support in dealing with Japan. Therefore, the Nationalist government and Canton authority showed more determination in dealing with piracy in South China waters between 1928 and 1929. Under such friendly circumstances, the British lifted its arm embargo by selling warships and munitions to Canton, and made a positive appraisal of China’s efforts.

廣東海盜、中英關係、北伐、李濟深

Kwantung Piracy, Sino-British Relationship, Northern Expedition, Li Chi-sum