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This study was motivated by the resurgence of interest in the writings and influence of the renowned Scottish social philosopher and political economist, Adam Smith, particularly his seminal work in classical economics, the Wealth of Nations. In recent years, as research into the Wealth of Nations has deepened, there has been a growing global movement to ‘return to Adam Smith’ or ‘Adam Smith’s revival’, reflecting his increasing influence on contemporary thought. Accompanying this global trend is a resurgence of interest in the Wealth of Nations within China. Scholars have called for greater attention to Smith’s work, arguing that his legacy remain ‘alive’ and relevant to today.
When examining the transmission of classical economic texts in China, it becomes evident that the Wealth of Nations stands out as one of the most significant, and the most frequently retranslated and influential works. The act of translating a work into a different language inherently involves an intricate interaction with its social and historical context. In the case of the Wealth of Nations, its dissemination in China has spanned over a century, closely mirroring China’s broader socio-historical trajectory. Commencing with the translation dating back to the late Qing Dynasty, subsequent editions reflect the dynamic historical contexts and processes that influenced Smith’s reception and propagation of his concepts in China. In general, China’s assimilation of the Wealth of Nations has not adhered to a straightforward linear path; instead, it has adapted in accordance with shifting societal and historical circumstances, signifying an increasingly profound comprehension of Smith’s ideologies as time progressed. This evolving process bears witness to the uniqueness of China’s historical development and represents the distinctive nature of the Wealth of Nations reception and dissemination in the Chinese context.
The transmission of Western economic ideas to China during the late Qing period was shaped by a diverse group of individuals, whom I refer to as ‘travelers’. These travelers, both Western and Chinese, played a crucial role in introducing and disseminating The Wealth of Nations in China. The process of transmitting knowledge from one context to another inevitably involves both challenges and transformations. In this context, Mary S. Morgan’s (2011) concept of ‘traveling well’ offers valuable insights. She outlines two key criteria: integrity, which refers to the retention of the core elements of knowledge as it moves between cultures, and fruitfulness, which indicates the ability of the knowledge to generate broader and more relevant applications in its new setting. These criteria are essential in understanding how Adam Smith’s economic ideas were adapted, interpreted, and integrated into China’s intellectual and political landscape, and how they contributed to the country’s evolving understanding of political economy.
This article investigates the early reception and transmission of Adam Smith’s The Wealth of Nations in late Qing China, a period marked by profound socio-political upheavals and intellectual transformations. It specifically focuses on the initial two phases of translation and dissemination of the Wealth of Nations in China during the late-Qing Dynasty (1840-1912), addressing key questions: how the work evolved through translations by Western missionaries and Chinese translators; the underlying reasons for these translation practices; and how Yan Fu interpreted Smith’s economic ideas and reflected them in his translation. The study aims to explore the overarching question: how consistent is Smith’s portrayal in late Qing China with how he is perceived today? To achieve this, the research adopts an interdisciplinary approach which moves beyond past studies that have been isolated in the areas of the history of economic thoughts and translation studies, by employing case study, textual analysis, descriptive translation studies and genetic translation studies. The study investigates two types of case studies: translations by Western (who often adopt a more detached or impartial tone when presenting the Western viewpoint, while attempting to stand in the shoes of a Chinese perspective) missionaries and Chinese local translators, including the prominent translator Yan Fu. Five case studies form the core of the analysis: translations by William Alexander Parson Martin and Wang Fengzao (Fu Guo Ce), John Fryer and Ying Zuxi (Zuo Zhi Chu Yan), Joseph Edkins (Fu Guo Yang Min Ce), Timothy Richard and Cai Erkang (An Outline Modern History of the West) and Yan Fu’s translation (Yuan Fu).
Through these case studies, the study contextualizes the initial translation and dissemination of the Wealth of Nations within China’s transition following the Opium War. It argues that the translations of the Wealth of Nations in late Qing China evolved from fragmented renditions to more systematic and comprehensive interpretation of Smith’s ideas; the reception of Smith’s work was deeply intertwined with China’s intellectual and political efforts to navigate the challenges of modernization and Westernization. Besides, Yan Fu’s translation established a unique ‘Yan Fu economic discourse space’, reshaping Smith’s ideas to align with China’s intellectual landscape. The introduction and dissemination of the Wealth of Nations in the particular historical period were profoundly shaped by the era’s complex socio-historical, economic and cultural context. While Smith’s portrayal during this period differed from his modern reception, this phase of translations facilitated a shift from the initial obscurity of Smith’s ideas to their growing recognition, promoting Chinese enlightenment and engagement with Western economic thought, thereby shaping the nation’s trajectory toward modernization. Therefore, this study highlights the interplay between the socio-historical context of late Qing China and the translation of the Wealth of Nations, revealing the unique features of its reception and dissemination. It holds significant research value for comprehensively outlining the historical trajectory of Smith’s work in China and highlighting the enduring relevance of Adam Smith’s legacy.
Key Words: Adam Smith; the Wealth of Nations; traveller; transmission; late Qing China
| Organization | University of Glasgow |
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