“执盟府之成书,援万国之公法”:中法战争前宗藩关系的合法性建构

The Legal Construction of Suzerain-vassal Relations before the Sino-French War

中法战争之前,由于法国在越南问题上假托"自主之国"之名大行拓殖之实,中越宗藩关系遭到前所未有的挑战。地方督抚和中央部臣积极致力于中越宗藩关系的合法性建构,来自西方"公认"的国际法知识被大量引用。为了说明宗藩关系的合理与合法,公法往往因应解释的需要被选择性地采择。尽管存在"唯利是视"、"囫囵吞枣"的功利倾向,盛极一时的公法舆论旨在申明中国"有管辖越南属邦之权",最终捍卫宗藩关系以及中国宗主权。在宗藩关系和国际公法问题上,清政府依据本土立场和特定情境采取和而不同的态度,通过东西方国际关系理念的对话与融通,展现出晚清中国面对西方国际关系冲击的本土立场和向近代外交转变的内在动力。

Before the Sino-French War, the Suzerain-vassal relations of China and Vietnam met unprecedented challenge due to French’s expansion of colony. On dealing with the suzerain-vassal relations and international public international law, the Qing government adopted an attitude of 'seeking harmony in diversity' based on its position and specific situation. Through communications in international relations between the East and the West, the Qing government showed China’s native position and driving force to modern diplomacy when it was faced with the impact of western international relations.