Confrontation And Accommodation

The Sino-British Chefoo Convention, signed in1876, is another important treaty between the two countries after Nanjing Treaty and Tianjin Treaty, which is attempted to deal with the various issues in business, diplomacy and other areas since established diplomatic relations by contracting form.Just like the first two contracts, this treaty is sprung from specific diplomatic events. But the difference is that, the negotiations around the Yunnan Case and the Chefoo Convention is not only in the search for solutions of the Sino-British business problems, more importantly to push for a change in China’s diplomatic status. As a matter of fact, it challenged China’s traditional diplomacy by the western diplomatic institutions and concepts, in the hope of taking advantage of every opportunity, including the contracting itself, to promote the Qing government to accept the western diplomatic practice. Besides, after the Tianjin Missionary Case, the hatreds was increasing among foreigners including the British. They were so afraid that the whole great Qing Empire may return to the "savage" exclusive policy again. Therefore, it is of particular importance to subdue the Chinese people and promote Qing dynasty "making progress" along the the western diplomatic path, which is also the hot pursuit of the British minister T.F. Wade then.To be specific, Chapter1mainly discusses the Sino-British relationship after1860, which are the basic Britain’s policy toward China and the Qing government’s coping style toward treaty obligations.The second chapter focus on the conflict in business and diplomacy between Sino and British at the beginning of the1860s, and points out the ineradicable factors of these conflicts, meanwhile highlighting T.F. Wade’s criticism of China’s diplomatic and his attempt to reverse this situation; this chapter also describes that British people’s claiming "tough" toward China was growing, which foreshadows the latter tough British negotiations pies in the Yunnan Case and prepare public opinion for the war.Chapter3states the occurrence of Yunnan Case at first, analyzing the improper of Qing government in the early negotiations, and further shows how T.F. Wade made use of this case to push on with his "diplomatic course" and implant the western diplomatic thoughts; this chapter ends with the Qing government consented to the "seven conditions" of the British, which meets the requirements for dissolving the crisis for the first time.Chapter4describes the coming back of the crisis of Yunnan Case, and how R.Hart and Li Hongzhang did to resolve the crisis. This chapter is mainly about the decision-making and considerations of Li Hongzhang before he concluded the treaty with R.Hart, and gives prominence to the diplomatic fronts of Qing government, and analyzes the divarication among Li Hongzhang, R.Hart and prime minister of Qing government when concluded the treaty, and how this kind of divarication took effect in the end.Chapter5sums up, give an evaluation to the influence and function of the Chefoo Convention from three aspects.