咸同年间曾国藩的几次涉外活动浅议

An Analysis of Zeng Guofan’s Diplomatic Activities during Xian Feng and Tong Zhi Regimes

咸同之际是中外关系由对抗趋向和缓的时期。曾国藩作为两江总督，首当其冲处于中外交涉的当中，先后参与了“借夷助剿”、“外夷代运南漕”的讨论，参与奏请开办江南机器制造局和奉旨查办天津教案等活动。在这些交涉活动中，他的与否看法，既有他政治斗争的需要；更体现了他对当时敌强我弱、力主只能“曲全邻好”、“衅端坚不自我开”的屈辱外交思想。他的这一思想后为李鸿章所继承。直接影响了十九世纪后半期中国的对外关系。

During the transitional period from Xian Feng Regime to Tong Zhi Regime, hostile relationship between China and foreign countries was gradually alleviated. As the Governor of two provinces, Zeng Guofan was deeply involved in various diplomatic negotiations during that period. He participated in the discussion about utilizing foreign powers in internal crackdown as well as in shipment of military provisions from the south. He applied for the establishment of Jiang Nan Machinery Manufacturing Bureau. He also investigated the religious conflict in Tianjin upon the Emperor＇s order. Zeng＇s opinions demonstrated during all these diplomatic events were not only out of necessity for political struggle, but also represented his humiliating diplomatic attitude under the international situation, in which China was extremely weak compared with foreign powers. He insisted China could only try to keep friendly relationship with neighboring countries, and should ensure to avoid any disputes. His thoughts were later inherited by Li Hongzhang, and thus directly influenced Chinese diplomatic relationship during the later half of the 19th century.