黎兆棠与1875年中日修约交涉述论

Li Zhaotang and the Negotiation of Sino-Japanese Treaty Revision in 1875

1875年9月,日本明治政府授意本国驻华公使向清廷总理衙门提出修约请求,意图调整两国于1871年所订约章内容,践行其蓄谋已久的大陆政策。受成例、能力、个人经历影响,时任津海关道黎兆棠被任命为这次修约的中方代表之一。在具体交涉中,黎兆棠逐条辨明日方提案,并依循对等原则分别准驳,竭力维护本国权益。其向总理衙门呈送的议改内容,基本融入双方最终议案。梳理光绪初元中日修约之缘起、经过与结果,不仅可以了解晚清外交权力结构的二元化特征及清廷设官分职多轨铺政的架构,揭示日本谋划修约的政治动机和中日双方争论的焦点;更能窥探黎兆棠在当中扮演的角色和所起作用,藉此呈现津海关道既有职权在晚清社会剧变下的弹性。

In September 1875,the Meiji government of Japan instructed its minister to submit a request to Tsungli Yamen of revising the Sino-Japanese Friendship and Trade Treaty signed in 1871and tried to implement its long-planed “continent policy”.Influenced by the precedent,personal abilities and experience,Li Zhaotang(1827-1894),then the Taotai of Tianjin Customs,was appointed as one of the Qing government’s representatives.During the negotiations,Li responded proposals to Japan’s envoys and rejected them separately according to principle of reciprocity,striving to defend China’s rights and interests.The content of the proposed amendment submitted to the Tsungli Yamen was basically incorporated into the final proposal of both sides.A review of the origins,course and results of the Sino-Japanese treaty revision in the early Guangxu period not only reveals the dualistic nature of the diplomatic power structure of the late Qing dynasty and the multi-track political structure of the Qing court,but also exposes the political motives of Japan in planning the treaty revision and the focus of the Sino-Japanese debate.It also sheds light on the role played by Li Zhaotang in the process,thus presenting the resilience of the existing authority of the Taotai of Tianjin Customs under the dramatic social changes of the late Qing dynasty.