Studying Li Hongzhang's diplomatic thoughts today can stand at the height of the times, with a new perspective and new ideas. Standing at the height of China's diplomacy in the 2nd/Kloc-0th century, "uniting with Russia to control Japan" should be taken out from "controlling foreign countries with foreign countries". If we study it from the perspective of China's diplomacy in the past 180 years, we will find that "allies and enemies" have been a difficult problem that has plagued China's diplomacy for many years. If we examine the failure of Li Hongzhang's diplomacy in the context of the overall gains and losses of China's diplomacy, we will have a deeper understanding.

(a) the patriarchal society is the most important, and the border is the least important.

As a diplomat of a country, it is his responsibility to safeguard the sovereignty and interests of the country. In this regard, Li Hongzhang's researchers believe that Li Hongzhang has a preliminary concept of modern state sovereignty. For example, regarding consular jurisdiction, he has long recognized that "foreigners are under consular jurisdiction, not under the management of local officials, which is the most inconsistent with public law". (1) Other issues, such as tariffs, inland river shipping, railway construction, etc. , all belong to the category of national sovereignty, and Li Hongzhang already knows them.

(2) External necessity and glory

"external harmony, internal reform"

(3) controlling foreigners with barbarians

Li Hongzhang's diplomatic thought is the result of China's modern diplomatic accumulation and exploration. The diplomatic perspective has changed from "China and the Four Foreign Countries" to "China and neighboring powers" and "China and the world". Generally speaking, China's diplomacy is superficial, and many of them are still in the exploratory stage. The Westernization Movement before Li Hongzhang can be used for reference. With his diplomatic frontier, at least we can avoid many detours in the current diplomatic process.