Tang Shaoyi's Role in the Sino-British Negotiations on the Tibetan Issue

Abstract

Tang Shaoyi undertook strenuous mission as a plenipotentiary to for negotiating the Tibetan issue with the India Government after signing of the Lhasa Convention between Qing official Youtai and Col. Francis Younghusband on 1904. Tang firmly requested the India Government to fully acknowledge China's sovereignty, not suzerainty, in Tibet while the India Government requested Tang to accept the 1904 Convention. Tang went back to Peking after the negotiation came to a deadlock. The situation came to a light after the recalling of India Governor due to cabinet reshuffle in London. The negotiation between Tang Shaoyi and Sir Ernest Satow, the British Minister, reopened at Peking on 1906. The British promised not to occupy Tibet, not to interfere local politics, and indirectly acknowledged the China's sovereignty in Tibet. Tang's work helped Qing government to strengthening its position in Tibet and provided his successor Zhang Yintang a finn basis for enforcing Tibetan policy.