Yüan Shih-k'ai

Yüan Shih-k'ai, or Yuan Shikai (1859–1916), Chinese soldier and president of China (1912–16). His efforts to check Japan in Korea led to the Sino-Japanese War of 1894–95. He supported the dowager empress Tz'u Hsi and helped suppress the Boxer movement (1900). Supported by his army during the revolution of 1911, he emerged as president but was unable to attain his goal of establishing himself emperor.

See also: China.