A Manchu soldier with his bow and arrow. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images). 1871

Soldiers of the Chinese Army, Cochin, China. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images). Circa 1885

A company of foreign trained and foreign equipped Chinese troops. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images). Circa 1900

The Chinese army during the Russo-Japanese War. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images). 1906

A group of armed soldiers at Swatow (Shantou) on the first day of the outbreak of the Chinese Revolution. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images). January 1912

Founder and early leader of China's Nationalist Party Sun Yat Sen (1857–1925), also spelled Sun Yixian, at Shanghai before leaving for Nanking. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images). 1912

Recruits in Imperial uniform from one of the colleges who have joined the Revolutionists during the Chinese revolution, 1912. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images). January 1912

Yuan Shikai (1859–1916), the dictator who after the revolution of 1911, became the first President of China, is viewed with his colleagues immediately following his inauguration. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images). 10th March 1912

Chinese boy soldiers in Marshal Sun's army helping in his fight against the “red menace” from Canton. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images). 1922

Three Chinese soldiers at the time of a civil war in China. (Photo by General Photographic Agency/Getty Images). 1922

This trainload of defeated Chang Tso-lin's Fengtien troops was photographed passing through a station in China during that country's Civil War. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images). 12th June 1922

Whampoa soldiers bound for the front eating noodles in Canton. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images). November 1925

A Chinese Marine looks down the barrels of a three barreled gun in Communist occupied Canton. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images). November 1925

Cantonese soldiers with their newly-supplied Russian equipment after arriving at Hankow as reinforcements for the Red Garrison. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images). 1927

A soldier in Chang Tsung Chang's army holding a mortar bomb. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images). Circa 1927

Members of China's Red Army's Propaganda Corps. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images). 7th February 1927

Cantonese soldiers with their newly-supplied Russian equipment after arriving at Hankow as reinforcements for the Red Garrison. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images). 1927

Members of the North Chinese Shangtung forces load a gun on to an armoured train during the desertion of Shanghai in favour of Cantonese forces. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images). 12th April 1927

Soldiers in the army of Chiang Kai-Shek at Hankow in central China test a new field gun. (Photo by Central Press/Getty Images). 1931

Chinese Kuomintang troops fighting Japanese troops during the Sino-Japanese War. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images). March 1932

Chinese trenches in Chapei, Shanghai, during the Sino-Japanese War. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images). March 1932

Chinese snipers find the terrain ideal for their purpose during the Sino-Japanese conflict. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images). 8th March 1933

In padded uniforms, Chinese “Big Sword” troops wielding their weapons during the fighting to defend Jehol in the Sino-Chinese war. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images). 8th March 1933

Merchant and military leader Wo Chuk Nam, heroic Chinese fighter in the Sino-Japanese conflict. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images). Circa 1935

A Chinese university student in military uniform sits cross-legged on the ground as she enjoys a simple meal during the war between China and Japan. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images). Circa 1935

Chinese troops stop at a shrine prior to returning home to the north of China. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images). Circa 1937

The Chinese army enters Shanghai after caturing the town. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images). 1937

A Chinese soldier bends over the body of a fellow soldier, killed by Japanese bombs during the Sino-Japanese conflict. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images). Circa 1937

Chinese Communist troops training with American Thompson sub-machine guns, during the Sino-Japanese war. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images). October 1937

French police try to control a crowd of Chinese soldiers seeking refuge in the French Concession after the fall of Nanto during the Sino-Japanese war. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images). December 1937

Chinese soldiers use a dirt embankment as protection from fire during a battle in the Sino-Japanese War, Shanghai, China. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images). Circa 1938