李鸿章与琉球宗主权的丧失

THE RELATION BETWEEN LI HONGZHANG AND THE LOSS OF THE SOVEREIGNTY OF RGUKYU

1879年日本吞并琉球,对于日本在琉球的行为,李鸿章从国家利益的角度出发,主张琉球自主,这一主张最终导致了清朝对琉球宗主权的丧失,但也反映出李鸿章在同资本主义打交道的过程中,他的近代国家利益思想有不断增强的趋势,他将国际公法同中国传统的“存祀主义”糅合在一起,试图以西方的理论来解决中国传统的宗藩问题,具有开放性;其同意琉球自主,又体现了他主权观念的萌发,表现出新旧思想的杂糅。

In 1879, Japan annexed Ryukyu. In response to this, Li Hongzhang, in light of national interest, advocated giving up the sovereignty over Ryukyu and supported the autonomy of Ryukyu, which, in the end, resulted in the loss of sovereigngy over it. This, however, also revealed that there was a tendency of strengthening in his idea of modem national interest when dealing with capitalist countries. Li Hongzhang combined international conventions with Chinese traditional ideas and tried m solve the traditional problem of vassalage with Western theories, which showed his openness. Meanwhile, he favored the self-governing of Ryukyu, which reflected the bourgeoning of his notion of sovereignty and the blending of old and new thoughts.