国际公约与晚清中国融入国际社会

The International Conventions and China's Integrating into the International Society during the Late Qing Dynasty

国际公约是中外条约关系的一个特殊组成部分,它对于中国融入国际社会,扩大国际交往有着特别的意义。晚清是中国接触和参与国际公约的萌起阶段。在这期间,通过参与国际公约,中国形成了一条以相对独立、平等姿态融入国际社会的新途径,拓展了融入的程度和范围,并且增强了融入的主动精神和自觉意识。这样一种相对独立、平等和更加主动的发展面向虽然未能使中国突破不平等条约的枷锁,但它的确反映了中国人适应形势变化,尝试新方法、探索新道路的努力。这也正是近代中国融入国际社会的持续动力。同时,从晚清中国参与国际公约的历程,亦能深刻体会图谋求变的弱国所背负的沉重历史包袱。

The International Convention, a special ingredient of the treaty relations between China and the foreign countries, had special significance for China＇s Integrating into the International Society. The late Qing Dynasty was a initial stage during which the Chinese contacted and participated in the International Conventions. In this period, by way of participating in International Conventions, China had found a new way getting into the International Society with a stance relatively indepen- dent and equal. In addition, China had expanded the integration in the level as well as in the scope, and had enhanced the initiative spirit and self-consciousness. Such a relatively indepen- dent, equal and a more active aspect, though hadn＇t helped the Chinese to break through the yoke of the unequal treaties, did reflect the Chinese efforts to adapt to the changing situation, try new methods and explore new path of development. Certainly, such efforts were exactly the sustain momentum of the modern China＇s integrating into the International Society. At the same time, by the way through which China participated in the International Conventions during the Late Qing Dynasty, we can be strongly aware of the heavy historical burden of a weak country attempting to change.