Chinese workers lined up.
In the summer of 1915, the Western powers paid a heavy price for World War and were short of manpower. As a " neutral country ", the Chinese government began to send Chinese workers to France in early 1916. The Chinese workers signed a 3-5 year contract with the authorities, indicating the scope of work and remuneration. The workers received half of the salary and the other half was distributed to their families in China. Workers going to Europe were disinfected and bathed before boarding the ship, and were given numbered coats, trousers, belts and underwear, straw hats, shoes and socks, etc. They were also uniformly equipped with blankets, bedding, water cups and iron rice bowls, and were concentrated in Weihai, and other places for a brief military training before leaving the country. In the summer of 1916, Britain also began to recruit Chinese workers. This move was not just a simple export of labor services, but also linked China's destiny to the Allied Powers, providing opportunities for later directly declaring war, participating in post-war peace conferences, and regaining sovereignty.
On August 14, 1917, the Chinese Beiyang government officially declared war on Germany and Austria, but did not send troops to participate in the war. It still adopted the strategy of "replacing troops with work".
The experiences of Chinese workers abroad are actually not that tragic. From its clothing and body shape, it can be seen that Spodoptera's clothing and nutrition are guaranteed, and her life should be better than that of ordinary people in the country at the same time.
Chinese workers engaged in artillery transport.
On February 11, 1918, British photographer Frank Barsky used his camera to record the New Year celebrations held by the Chinese Labor Corps in Noyales.
Many Chinese workers were killed by dumb bomb explosions while clearing the battlefield.
Huagong eye drops prevent eye infections.
Chinese workers took photos with local children in a photo studio on the border of Belgium and France.
