Tentative Analysis Of Xue Fu-cheng's Diplomatic Ideas

The opium war drew open the curtain of modern China. Against a backgroud of changed Sino-Western relations, many an outstanding theologist and diplomatist came into being. Xue Fu-cheng was just one of them. Xue Fu-cheng, also called Xue Shu-yun or Xue Yong-an, was born in Wuxi Jiangsu and left behind lots of scripts when he deceased. As a famous initial reformer and one of the four diplomatist elites in late Qing dynasty, Xue Fu-cheng developed diplomatic ideas which takes an important status in the diplomacy history of modern China. The academic has made more study about his diplomatic activities but less about his diplomatic ideas. The thesises on Xue's diplomatic ideas offered no systematic analyses and complete illustrations. No doubt that there remains room for more study. This thesis will discuss Xue's diplomatic ideas from three parts, with a view to deepen the study in this area.Part 1: reasons for the forming of Xue's diplomatic ideas. This part will indicate that the forming of Xue's diplomatic ideas was the result of multi-factors. These factors are as follows: the advent of changes never undergone before, the adjustion of diplomatic policy in late Qing dynasty, the influence of pragmatic knowledge tide and Xue's long-term diplomacy experience.Part 2: contents of Xue's diplomatic ideas. This part will indicate that Xue's diplomatic ideas are quite plentiful, which include the following aspects: to stick up for national sovereignty and national interests with national benefits as the served, to abide by international law which was regarded as basic rule and powerful weapon, to utilize "making use of some foreign countries to constrain others" which was seen as the main diplomatic tactic, to establish modern institutions to guarantee diplomacy from an institution perspective, to develop tremendous national strength to provide strong support for diplomacy.Part 3: appraisal of Xue's diplomatic ideas. This part will indicate that Xue's diplomatic ideas exerted great influence in aspects of sticking up for national preveliges and honour, modernizing diplomacy and setting example for diplomatists. Secondly, this part will expound the historicallimits, such as the remains of celestial empire ideas, fantacy and ambigueity in recognition of the Powers,and the flaw of "making use of some foreign countries to constrain others". At last, this part will point out that Xue's diplomatic ideas may supply contemporary diplomacy with several revelations in aspects of judging and seeking national benefits, utilizing geographical thought, merging into the international society and developing composite national power.