封贡体制与条约制度的碰撞:太平天国对外政策的困境

The Conflict of Investiture and Tributary Systems with Treaty Systems:the Plight of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom's Foreign Policy

在封贡体制与条约制度的碰撞之下,太平天国的外交一面以"天朝上国"自居,不承认不平等条约,认为太平天国是"天朝上国",天王洪秀全是万国"真主",要求各国"归顺"天朝,向太平天国朝拜进贡。另一面,视西人为"洋兄弟",没有全面认清不平等条约,遂亦有对西方列强妥协退让行为。

In the conflict between investiture and tributary systems and treaty systems, the foreign policy of the Tai-ping Heavenly Kingdom showed a conflicting nature, i.e. on one hand, they existed alone by claiming to be 'Tai-ping Heavenly Kingdom,' which was proved by the following facts-rejecting unequal treaties, thinking their kingdom to be 'Celestial Empire' headed by 'Heavenly King'- ' Allah' of all the countries on earth, and requiring all the other countries to pay allegiance to him and tribute to 'Celestial Empire'; on the other hand, they treated the westerners as 'foreign brothers', not fully understanding the unequal treaties, hence resulting in their compromise and concessions to western powers.