Title

Recommendation, Selection, and Appointment of Ministers Plenipotentiary in the Late Qing Dynasty

Author

Li, Wen-jie  

Genre

Article  

Pages

171-216  

Download

PDF

Language

Chinese  

Key words

diplomats in the late Qing Dynasty, recommendation, Zongli Yamen, Superintendent of Trade for Northern Ports, Superintendent of Trade for Southern Ports, diplomatic system  

Abstract

        There was a strict procedure to follow for minister plenipotentiary selection in the late Qing Dynasty. First, high-ranking officials recommended persons with diplomatic talent, some of whom the Grand Council and the Zongli Yamen 總理衙門 would put into a list of minister candidates. When a minister left office, the Zongli Yamen would present the list of candidates to the emperor. With further recommendation and advice from the Grand Council and the Zongli Yamen, the emperor would select the most appropriate one for the new minister post. However, only with the acknowledgement of the Grand Council and the Zongli Yamen could the recommendation of the high rank officials be effective. Sometimes, the emperor also showed his initiative. Persons on the list were evaluated according to their membership in political factions and their ability to deal with foreign affairs. The final appointment was influenced by a variety of complicated factors, involving power struggle, interpersonal relations, and economic interests. By examining documents concerning minister selection, this article explores and reveals the details of this procedure in the late Qing Dynasty..