李鸿章与清末华工问题

Li Hongzhang and the Overseas Chinese Labourers in the Late Qing Dynasty

李鸿章十分重视维护晚清海外华工的权益。许多史料表明,他曾分别与秘鲁、美国政府就华工问题进行过交涉,取得了不同的结果:前者富有成效,后者铩羽而归。这生动地反映了李鸿章既力图维护国家主权又无可奈何屈从国际强权的实用主义外交方针的特点。

Paying attention to defending the fights and interests of overseas labourers in the late Qing Dynasty, according to different situations, Li Hongzhang took up a matter with the governments of Peru and the United States of America. The actions taken by Li Hongzhang had different results： The former was successful and effective whereas the latter was not. From this case we can see the practical characteristics of his diplomatic policy ： He tried his best to preserve China＇s sovereignty, but at the same time he had to succumb to the international overpowering force because he had no other alternative.