Successful Diplomat, Weak Country

Zeng Jize was a successful diplomat who firstly succeeded in diplomatic mission in the modern history of China. In this paper, the writer tries to make a comprehensive review of Zeng's modern diplomatic thoughts and his diplomatic practices.Firstly, the writer analyzes the origin of Zeng Jize's diplomatic thoughts. As the eldest son of Zeng Guofan, the main minister in the late Qing dynasty, Zeng Jize was given a strict education when he was young. He not only gorged himself on the Confucian Classic, afforded up to science, and had a solid grounding in Chinese Studies, but also developed a quality of straight-arrow, persistence and carefulness. In later diplomatic negotiations, He, defying brute force and breaking through while at the cups and dishes, obtained some achievements, which closely related to his early education and the quality of his good will. At the same time, the changes of China-foreign relations and the influences of western ideas prompted him to achieve a modern diplomatic thinking from the traditional ideas.Secondly, the writer illustrates the main content of Zeng Jize's diplomatic thoughts:1. a concept of international relations - "Diplomatic relations can not often rely on others".2. a principle of power exteriors - "The promotion of national strength is the backing of diplomacy."3. a view of current situation to adapt to the needs of international contacts - "Learn from western countries and introduce the modern western diplomatic system."4. a foreign policy with appropriate degree.Thirdly, the writer specifically illustrates Zeng's diplomatic thoughts and strategies and analyzes the success, failure and reasons, based on Zeng's two most important diplomatic activities, the China-Russian negotiation about Ili and the China-France negotiation about Vietnam.Finally, in the summary part, the writer points out that in modern Chinese diplomatic history, the status and the impacts of Zeng Jize should be fully affirmed, despite the limitations of his foreign ideology and the mistakes he made in diplomatic practices. He is indeed an outstanding representative during the process of transformation from traditional diplomacy to modern diplomacy in modern China.