Washington Conference During The Chinese Diplomatic Analysis

National interest is one of the basic elements which determine the foreign policy. Among all the aspects the national interest contains, the core national interest is the most important one. Only define the concept of the core national interest under the concretely historic background, can we analyze the foreign policy more objectively and fairly.Based on the definition of the core national interest, the paper argues that during the Washington Conference (1921-1922) China's foreign policy managed to protect the core national interests of China.It is because that, during the first half of the 20th century, the core national interests of China were to revolt against Japan's aggression and to maintain China's territorial sovereignty. Only prevent Japan's occupation of Shandong, could the core national interests be protected. And the support from the US was very important for China to regain its sovereignty of Shandong. So China acknowledged the Open Door policy initiated by the US to make the US exert its influence on Japan. In the end Japan had to return the sovereignty of Shandong back to China. In addition this paper analyzes the influence of the Open Door policy on China in both the qualitative and quantitative way.To sum up, foreign policy depends on the national strength. At the Washington Conference (1921-1922), China did not have enough strength to regain its national interests from the big powers. In order to regain its sovereignty of Shandong, China had to seek the support from the US. The underdevelopment of China made its foreign policy very passive. Therefore, to develop the comprehensive strength and make the country strong and prosperous are fundamentally crucial for China'foreign policy.