The Reformists’ Notion Of Treaty In The Period Of Wu Xu Political Reform

The treaties were shackles imposed on China by western powers in modern times.The Chinese had begun the fight against unequal treaties since they are signed. Wuxu reformists arrived at the political arena after China’s defeat in the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895,setting off a new upsurge of salvation.To save the benefits of the nation, the reformists put forward a variety of proposals,among which the notion of treaty is one of the most important.The reformists’ notion of treaty was in a “partial trial” phase of modern Chinese people’s request to abolish unequal treaty.The four important factors shaping Wuxu reformists’ notion of treaty are:the new changes in China’s treaty bond with foreign countries,the recent development in the notion of national sovereignty,the defeat in the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895 and foreign missionaries.With the spread of international laws,reformists such as Kang Youwei,Liang Qichao,Tan Citong and Tang Caichang gained a strengthened sense of international laws,for example the recognition of the principles of advancement and equality in international laws. Meanwhile,they got a deeper understanding of the nature and threat of unequal treaties,especially that of certain privileges in the unequal treaties,such as consular jurisdiction,agreement tariff and unilateral most-favoured-nation treatment.Compared to predecessors,the reformists had a deeper understanding of the threats of the certain privileges in the unequal treaties,and they began to take initiative in the request for modification of the treaties,believing that the specific ways to modify the treaties are political reform, public law and diplomatic strategy.These proposals and opinions can at some point play a part in the diplomatic decisions of Qing government,forming the theoretic basis for its external exchanges.In the process of Chinese people’s understanding of the notion of treaty,the Wuxu reformers’ notion of treaty lies among that of the Westernizationists, constitutionalist and revolutionists,serving as a link between the past and the future.Furthermore,Wuxu reformistsis a populated and complicated group.Their living and educational environment make their notion of treaty different even among themselves.Of course,while affirming Wuxu reformists’ notion of treaty,we should also see that there are also limits in it,such as immaturity, unsystematism and imcompleteness of the theory.Therefore,the Wuxu reformists’ notion of treaty can help us better observe the development of modern Chinese diplomacy,but also offer profound enlightenment to descendants.