The anti-western Boxer Rebellion that shook the nation at the turn of the 20th century is once again causing controversy.
The movement grew out of a frustration with the Qing government and encroaching western powers. At the forefront was the Righteous and Harmonious Fists, or Yi He Tuan, which originally wanted to overthrow the government and expel foreign powers. The society, known as the Boxers to foreigners because its members practised martial arts, attracted thousands of followers who attacked Christians, foreign diplomats and businessmen.
In his controversial essay, Modernisation and History Textbooks, Sun Yat-sen University professor Yuan Weishi said that between June 24 and July 24, 1900, 231 foreigners were killed - 53 of them children - mostly by the Boxers. In Shanxi province alone, more than 5,700 Chinese Christians were killed.
Despite references in historical literature saying the Boxers committed acts such as murder, robbery, vandalism and arson, the movement is regarded as patriotic on the mainland.
Authorities refer to it positively as an 'uprising', rather than a 'rebellion' as most similar movements in Chinese history have been branded.
The central government reacted fiercely to Professor Yuan's essay, with a Foreign Ministry spokesman saying it had 'hurt Chinese people's feelings'.