Guo Songtao was the first minister sent abroad in modern China. My thesis aims to examine and assess the origin and development of his diplomatic thought, especially as reflected in his diplomatic activities. It comprises four chapters. The first introduces Guo's traditional scholarship with emphasis on his Neo-Confucianism background. The second deals with the formation of Guo's diplomatic thought before he was appointed as minister to Britain and France. The third is about the finalization of Guo's diplomatic pattern and its development after he became a minister from three aspects of basic diplomatic principles and attitudes, the standpoints of making diplomatic strategy and the choice of tactics. The last chapter studies Guo's understanding and application of the International Law....[ Read more ]

Guo Songtao was the first minister sent abroad in modern China. My thesis aims to examine and assess the origin and development of his diplomatic thought, especially as reflected in his diplomatic activities. It comprises four chapters. The first introduces Guo's traditional scholarship with emphasis on his Neo-Confucianism background. The second deals with the formation of Guo's diplomatic thought before he was appointed as minister to Britain and France. The third is about the finalization of Guo's diplomatic pattern and its development after he became a minister from three aspects of basic diplomatic principles and attitudes, the standpoints of making diplomatic strategy and the choice of tactics. The last chapter studies Guo's understanding and application of the International Law. As I see, to some extent, Guo has gone beyond the framework of "zhong-ti-xi-yong" formula advocated by most of the other supporters of the Self-strengthen Movement.