Confucianism and Western International Law in 1900

In late imperial China, interpersonal relationships played a crucial role in Chinese officials’ reactions to international law in 1900. Shaped by Confucianism, interpersonal relationships significantly influenced Li Hongzhang in his internal relations with his rivals and his relations with foreign diplomats. They determined his strategy for dealing with the West more than the contents of any Confucian code. However, there was nothing mysterious about the Chinese system. The British ambassador, Ernest Satow was fully competent to penetrate Chinese bureaucracy and could work to uphold a British understanding of the balance of power, which included maintaining the unity of China. Satow formed partnerships with many other senior Chinese officials besides Li. So, neither the ideologies nor idea systems of Confucianism and Western international law as bodies of rules played a significant role. Everything depended upon the individual skills and sense of responsibility of particular persons such as Li and Satow.