In 1896, Li Hongzhang went to ** on behalf of the Empress Dowager Cixi and the Qing court to attend the coronation of Tsar Nicholas II. This 190-day diplomatic trip not only allowed Li Hongzhang to experience the operation process of Western countries, but also opened a window into the world for him.
On August 28, Li Hongzhang arrived in New York, the Qing minister who personally signed the Treaty of Shimonoseki, became the focus of curiosity in the United States. In order to welcome him, ** personally hung the banner of the Qing Dynasty on the streets and alleys of New York, causing a grand scene of empty alleys. Li Hongzhang wore a yellow coat and walked on American soil, but was fined for spitting.
In the United States, curiosity about this visitor from the East far outweighed an accurate understanding of the Qing Dynasty. Seeing Li Hongzhang wearing a yellow coat, many Americans even mistakenly thought that he was the emperor of China, and during this time, rumors about "Chinese Emperor Li Hongzhang's visit to the United States" were widely circulated among the American people.
Li Hongzhang's opening remarks in front of the United States ** were straightforward, asking about the other party's official position, family status, wealth, etc., in order to bring them closer. However, such a question is considered very impolite in the United States and causes some embarrassment. Through the interpretation of the translation, the United States ** realized that this is the traditional etiquette of China, not disrespect to them.
When Li Hongzhang visited the National Library in Washington, D.C., he deeply admired the open education structure in the United States. He told reporters that after returning to China, he would report what he had seen and heard to the Empress Dowager Cixi, and actively advocated that the Qing Dynasty allow women to receive education, and paid attention to the importance of education. At the same time, he explained the symbolism of the yellow coat to the Americans, and was warmly welcomed by the local people.
During this diplomatic journey, Li Hongzhang gained a new understanding of American technology, architecture, and culture. In an interview, he expressed his shock at the advanced facilities and efficient operation of elevators in the United States, and was also amazed by the attitude of the American people towards the first place. However, the Xi of smoking in the library made him feel a little uncomfortable, and he was eventually fined, which became a delicate experience in the United States.
After his trip to the United States, Li Hongzhang returned to China and reported to the Empress Dowager Cixi what he had seen and heard about this diplomatic visit. He praised the advanced and enlightened United States, and was aware of the limitations of the Qing Dynasty's closed policies. In this historic diplomatic journey, Li Hongzhang was both a witness and an advocate, contributing to the exchange of Chinese and Western cultures.