Cao Futian

曹福田, Cao Futian
Depiction of Cao Futian on horseback
Born	19th century Jinghai Town
Died	1901 Jinghai Town
Allegiance	Yìhéquán
Memorials	Boxer Memorial

Cao Futian (simplified Chinese :曹福田) was a Chinese nationalist and leader of the Boxers during the Boxer Uprising.

Not much is known of the origins of Cao Futian.

Cao was born during the 19th century, in Jinghai, Zhili province, China.

Before the uprising, Cao had been a soldier, considered a bandit "known for his brutality" by some sources. He raised a militia in Tianjin, formed in majority by illiterate people such as laid-off railway workers, Chinese religious fanatics, criminals or idle youth. He was master of Kung Fu and a charismatic leader. Cao hated foreigners since the foreign concessions, but even more due to the spread of Christianity by missionaries. He thought Chinese Christians should be expelled for tainting the purity of the Chinese culture. First hostile to the Chinese Imperial Army, he fought them in August 1899. The Qing government was divided towards how to react to the Boxers activities, but conservatives element of the court were in favour of them. Prince Duan, a fervent supporter of the cause, arranged a meeting between Cao and Empress Dowager Ci Xi. At the meeting, the crown prince even wore a Boxer uniform to show alliance.

In 1900, he set his headquarters at 18 Hejia Lane, Ruyyi'an Street of Hongqiao District, at an old temple venerating Lü Dongbin, which is now the Memorial Hall of the Boxer Uprising (Lu Zu Tang).

On July 14th, 1900, Tianjin was captured by the Allied forces of the Eight-Nation Alliance after a three-day battle. Cao Futian, who was present, had to flee to Jinghai. In May 1901, he was captured by the government.

Cao Futian was also a spiritual leader for the Boxers, and many believed he had divine abilities. Along with Zhang Decheng, another Boxer leader, he was said to be able to make himself disappear, and had the power to be in two different places at once.

Cao died in 1901, when in Jinghai he was arrested for conspiring to stir up conflicts. He was beheaded.