Discussion About Modern Variation Of Li Hung-chang’s Suzerain-tributary Relation Concept

Suzerain-tributary relation was the characteristic of east Asia international order system and already existed for more than two thousand year. But the system of suzerain-tributary was substantially changed under the push of history. As the main minister in the late Qing dynasty, Li Hung-Chang was an active front line diplomatic officer. His suzerain-tributary relation concept was established on diplomatic practices, which in turn affect his diplomatic policy decision. As the push of history, variations of Li’s suzerain-tributary relation concept happen spontaneously. He was deeply influenced by “Chinese-style Westernization” development concept. On the one hand, his suzerain-tributary relation concept has become more western. He applied the realization of Public International Law for crisis response of suzerain-vassal state relationship, which beak through the shackles of“non-activity, non-regulation” concept. He was an advocate of active intervention on tributary affairs and tried to rebuilt the suzerain-tributary system. Under the situation of Western culture impact, weakening Qing dynasty and growing independence awareness of tributary, Li formed an idea of comprehensive strengthen the control of Suzerain based on the concept of western tributary and active intervention, which extremelyconflicted with the independent concept of tributary. After the first Sino-Japanese War, the suzerain-tributary relation was collapsed. But Li’s suzerain-tributary concept still remain and affect his diplomatic policy decision on occasion. On the other hand, besides the effect of Public International Law, traditional idea still have strong effect on Li’s suzerain-tributary concept. He claimed that traditional suzerain-tributary should adapt according to reality, and should finally evolve into strong weapon which could balance the destruction of Public International Law.The reality of internal and external problem give Li a new insight on the means and purpose of maintain suzerain-tributary relationship. To meet the vanity of “the Celestial Empire” was not the main point of maintain suzerain-tributary, it transformed into increase the interests of the empire. Those made him take more attention on realistic utility while dealing suzerain-tributary affairs. Use Public International Law idea to maintain suzerain-tributary relationship has became the main measurement of Li’s crisis response on tributary affairs. Under the effect of suzerain-tributary reality, Li’s traditional view and public law concept integrated together but conflict on occasion. On one hand, Li transform the Public International Law in accordance to traditional suzeraintributary concept, then apply to suzerain-tributary reality. On the other hand, Public International Law concept impacted traditional suzerain-tributary relationship, which destroy Li’s traditional concept andforce him to follow the order of Public Law.Li’s suzerain-tributary concept represented the concept of Late Qing.It will lead the damage of tributary interest, but it is worthwhile to analysis Li’s suzerain- tributary concept. The advantage factors of Li’s concept will have a certain reference for establish new international order.