The history of Chinese diplomatic missions in Japan, 1877-1911
Date
1972
Authors
Chow, Jen-hwa
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The purpose of this thesis is to present a detailed
history of the Chinese diplomatic mission to Japan between
the years 1877-1911. The first four chapters trace the development of
Chinese knowledge and attitudes towards Japan, the establishment
of treaty relations and the organization of the Chinese foreign
missions. This is followed by three chapters devoted to the
specific operation of the mission in Japan.
This study presents a survey of the work, of the
Chinese mission to Japan and the contribution of the head of
mission between 1877 and 1911, with special attention to the
minister's views of and attitudes towards Japan, the nature
of the mission's functions, and the importance of the information
and advice they supplied in the formation of the home
government's policy towards Japan.
From the very beginning the Chinese government
considered the establishment of a mission in Japan to be a
matter of importance. Its special purpose was to observe
Japan as a possible force in Asia. Though the Chinese diplomats
did manage to transmit a great deal of information about the
Japanese scene as a whole, common cultural backgrounds and
written language were far less helpful than expected. Because
individual ministers were considerably influenced by personal
pre-conceptions regarding Japan, Chinese missions were often mistaken in their analysis and conclusions. Nevertheless
the information they provided was of undoubted importance in
the formulation of Chinese foreign policy, particularly in
keeping Li Hung-chang informed of the situation in Japan. The
mission developed and improved their methods of gathering
information over the period of study, and underwent certain
changes in function and organization which are examined in
detail.
The Japanese victory in 1895 brought about the
decline in importance of the diplomatic function of the Chinese
mission in Japan. Most substantial negotiations were now
carried out in Peking and the political role of the Chinese
mission in Japan become routine and relatively unimportant.
Instead the missions became more and more concerned with
Chinese students, reformists and revolutionaries in Japan and
with attempting to suppress revolutionary trends.
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