“He Was a Friend of Our Fatherland”: the Personal Image and Role of Li Hong-Zhang as a Signatory of the Shimonoseki and Moscow Treaties of 1895–1896 (Russian Perception)

Abstract

The Qing Empire dignitary Li Hong-zhang was one of the main protagonists of the events and the official signatory of both treaties on behalf of China. While Li’s mission in 1895 in Shimonoseki was “to seal with his signature the peace, shameful for his Fatherland”, his visit to Russia in 1896 became an honorable mission. Li managed it brilliantly, signing an allied Defense Treaty with Russia, including agreement on construction of the Chinese Eastern Railway (CER). Considering the 125 years long discussions, we present the “Russian perception” on the essence, nature and significance of these agreements, along with personal image and role of Li. Russian experts have different assessments of the 1896 “Moscow Treaty”. Some experts believe that equal treaty is impossible between unequal parties. Others say it was not unequal, as it did not give Russia any special privileges or infringe on China's sovereignty. It contained no statements “humiliating” China. It was equal agreement of two states, ready to “support each other” if “any attack by Japan occurs, both on Russian territory in East Asia, and on territory of China or Korea”. The CER’s construction was mutually beneficial too. Li initially sought for fulfillment of the Russian-Chinese alliance. Being removed to Guangdong in August 1898 Li couldn’t control the situation, and after his return to Beijing in August 1900, the Treaty was already discredited by the controversial actions of both parties. However, both goals of the “Moscow Treaty” (construction of the CER and protecting China from the repeated Japanese intrusion) were eventually realized.