Liang Qichao And International Law

Entered in China in the late Qing Dynasty, international law has caused widespread concern of the Chinese scholars and has great influence. As an important representative of modern intellectuals, in the process of understanding international law of modern Chinese people, the understanding and research of international law of Liang Qi chao was representative, was worth careful inspection.This article is divided into three parts to discuss the process that Liang comprehended and understood international law, trying to systematically study Liang ’s conception of international law and diplomacy.The first part mainly discusses Liang Qi chao’s early exposure and evaluation of international law. Movement of1898, Liang had a considerable understanding to Elements of International Law and other translations of international law. As an important representative of the reformers, Liang Qi chao adhering to the idea of his teacher Kang You wei, put forward the concept of international law of public law and The Spring and Autumn Annals, thought that public law is the embodiment of justice and the ideal world order, he was highly positive the spiritual values of the international law.The second part describes after the failure of the Reform Movement of1898, Liang exiled in Japan for14years and the concept of international law changed. Under the influence of the intellectual concept of nationalism in Japan, after Liang witnessed the change of Japan from weak to strong, he formed a new idea of International Order, he appealed the people should combine power and international law, and should make China become the world competition rely on nationalism; the same time he had more understanding the real significance of the international law in the diplomacy, advocating that people should use international law and diplomatic means to defend national sovereignty, he thought actively the reality of China diplomatic problem as the basis of the international law.The third part introduces the period of the Republic of China, Liang understood the concept of international law and the international politics. By this time Liang’s conception of international law continued the understanding which formed in Japan.He emphasized the practical value of international law, he thought that international law is a product of the balance of power between the major powers. During this period, he was familiar with the international law and discussed domestic and international current affairs, for example, the war and the discussion of Statute of the League of Nations and The statute of the International Labour, he thought deeply the International political order.The knowledge of international law in Liang’s lifetime changed along with the reality.But his concern of international law that China could been self-reliance and become an equal members of international community, has left us important enlightenment.