Wu Tingfang: The fighter of the dream of a strong country.
In the history of China's diplomacy, there has been an endless stream of well-known diplomats, such as Wang Yi and Hua Chunying. However, in this brilliant team, there is a little-known "ruthless character" - Wu Tingfang. Known as the "genius of a thousand faces", he has created firsts in China's diplomacy with his outstanding diplomatic skills and extraordinary intelligence, leaving a "priceless legacy" for China.
The youthful years: Wu Tingfang's heterogeneous growth.
Ng Ting Fong, born on 30 July 1842 in Singapore to an overseas Chinese family, moved back to his hometown in Guangdong at the age of three. Unlike his peers, who pursued the traditional path of the imperial examination, Wu Tingfang had a strong national self-esteem and was deeply tired of the study of the Eight Strands. When he entered St. Paul's College in Hong Kong at the age Xi of 14, he not only learned English, arithmetic and style, but also had a passion for the suffering motherland. The two Opium Wars became an opportunity to "open his eyes to the world", and at the age of 18, he founded the first Chinese newspaper, Zhongwai Xinbao, and raised his voice and shouted for China, which was weak.
Crossing the ocean: the first person to study in the UK.
In 1874, at the age of 33, Wu Tingfang studied in the United Kingdom at his own expense, becoming a pioneer of self-funded study in modern China. In England, he developed a keen interest in jurisprudence and traveled to courts all over London to observe cases. Three years later, he became the first Chinese to obtain a Juris Doctor qualification in the United Kingdom, standing on the international stage and becoming a barrister. All this happened in 1877, when China was in a feudal society, and the news that a Chinese with long braids became a barrister in England was shocking, just as the possibility of black people suddenly becoming ** when black slavery was prevalent in the United States.
A new role for Chinese lawyers: Ng Ting-fong in Hong Kong.
Upon his return to Hong Kong, Ng Ting-fong was allowed to set up a law firm, becoming the first Chinese lawyer in the British colony. In the most unequal era of the time, he not only abolished flogging for Chinese, but also pushed for the formal abolition of the flogging system in Hong Kong. As a result, his name spread throughout Hong Kong, becoming the first Chinese Justice of the Peace, and two years later he became a representative of the Hong Kong Legislative Council, breaking the 38-year monopoly of the British on the Legislative Council and becoming the first Chinese member to enter the Legislative Council. At that time, such a position was almost a "one-step climb to the sky" and a passport to enter the upper class, and Wu Tingfang did not hesitate to choose this most difficult path, using his wisdom and efforts to improve the status of Hong Kong Chinese step by step.
Pioneer of Reform: Wu Tingfang's Legal Project.
In Hong Kong, Ng Dinh Fong proposed a series of bills to repeal unequal laws, including "abolishing public flogging", "prohibiting the sale of girls", and "prohibiting discrimination against Chinese". Under his initiative, the Hong Kong Legislative Council passed and implemented all of these bills. He united with wealthy Chinese businessmen and demanded the establishment of a Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong to break the financial monopoly of the British. Together with his wife and brother Ho Kai, he carried out the Kowloon Bay reclamation project for the benefit of the people. He was also a generous contributor to the education of the common people in Hong Kong. Wu Tingfang used his wisdom and actions to pull the Hong Kong Chinese out of the dust step by step.
Going International: Wu Tingfang's path to a diplomatic giant.
In 1882, Wu Tingfang's popularity attracted the attention of Li Hongzhang, a central minister. In the context of the Westernization Movement, Li Hongzhang regarded Wu Tingfang as a talent he had been looking for for several years, and Wu Tingfang resolutely left Hong Kong and came to the Li Hongzhang shogunate to serve as a legal adviser. As a reformer, he turned the tide and broke through. Under his leadership, earth-shaking changes took place in railways, the legal system, and other aspects. His outstanding talent in legal diplomacy amazed Western countries and became a powerful representative of China in diplomacy.
Returning to his homeland: Ng Dinh Fong's final diplomatic mission.
In 1909, at the age of 67, Wu Tingfang completed his diplomatic mission in the United States and returned to his homeland. With his outstanding diplomatic demeanor, he became a beautiful landscape in the late Qing Dynasty. Through his deep understanding of U.S. law, Wu Tingfang protected the rights and interests of Chinese workers and became the "guardian saint" of Chinese interests. In the negotiation of the Mexican Chinese Exclusion Act, he made Mexico have to make concessions with a firm stance and signed the Sino-Mexican Trade Treaty, becoming the first equal treaty in modern China. He paved the way for China's accession to the Hague International Peace Organization by signing the "Sino-US Arbitration Treaty" with the United States.
A master of the legal system: Ng Dinh Fong's internal policy innovation.
Internally, Wu Tingfang is a "pioneer of reform". With his solid knowledge of law, he abolished thousands of years of China's barbaric and heavy punishment laws, including "Ling Chi", "Owl Head", "Killing Corpses", "Yuan Sitting", "Tattooing", etc., laying the foundation for the formulation of modern laws in China. He founded China's first modern law school, trained nearly 10,000 legal talents, and opened a new era of Chinese law.
Wu Tingfang's Diplomatic Legacy: China's First Equality Treaty.
In the era when weak countries had no diplomacy, Wu Tingfang signed China's first equal treaty in modern times through thunderous means. His resolute rhetoric forced foreign countries to respect China and protect Chinese workers, and contributed to China's victories in international affairs again and again. On the international stage, he has made China's voice heard by the world.
Returning to China and retreating: the original intention of the dream of a strong country.
In 1909, at the age of 67, Wu Tingfang returned to China, ending a long diplomatic career. In the era when there was no diplomacy in a weak country, he used his wisdom and courage to win an equal position for China and became a legendary figure in the history of China's diplomacy. After his retirement, he left behind a rich legal legacy, laying a solid foundation for the development of modern Chinese law.
Wu Tingfang: A priceless legacy left to China.
Wu Tingfang, an unknown hero in the history of diplomacy, dedicated his life to the motherland and won dignity and equality for China. His diplomatic wisdom and legal attainments have become a legend in the history of Chinese diplomacy and a priceless legacy for China. Wu Tingfang, a fighter for the dream of a strong country, his story will inspire future generations to move towards a brighter future.
Wu Tingfang, a hidden hero in the history of Chinese diplomacy, is finally presented to us through this article. His life is full of legends, and his tremendous contributions to China's diplomatic cause are truly awe-inspiring.
First of all, Ng Dinh Fong has demonstrated outstanding traits in the process of personal growth. During the feudal Qing Dynasty, he dared to go against the tradition, get rid of the rules and regulations of the imperial examination, and pursue Western-style education. This spirit of not sticking to conventions and pursuing independent thinking has given him a unique vision and insight in his diplomatic journey. When he was young, he founded a Chinese newspaper and contributed to China's enlightenment movement, showing a deep concern and sense of responsibility for the country.
Secondly, Wu Tingfang's study abroad experience and further study of law in the United Kingdom laid a solid foundation for his later diplomatic career. He was not only the first person in modern China to study at his own expense, but also a pioneer in obtaining a doctorate in law in the United Kingdom. This kind of knowledge and background has enabled him to play well in the international arena and laid a solid foundation for China to achieve equal status in foreign affairs. With his extraordinary legal talent, he broke the prejudice of foreigners against China's level of rule of law and fought for fairness and justice for the country.
Ng's resume in Hong Kong is also remarkable. He not only became the first Chinese lawyer, but also promoted the abolition of the flogging system in Hong Kong by abolishing unequal laws and regulations, breaking the British monopoly on financial power, and becoming the first Justice of the Peace and Chinese parliamentarian in Hong Kong. This is not only a test of personal courage and wisdom, but also a solid step towards fairness and justice in Chinese society.
Ng Dinh Fong's diplomatic mission is even more prestigious. His diplomatic career in the United States, as well as his negotiations with Mexico, Spain, and other countries, have demonstrated his steadfastness and excellent negotiation skills. Especially in the United States, he not only successfully protected the rights and interests of Chinese workers, but also facilitated the Sino-US arbitration agreement, which paved the way for China to join the Hague International Peace Organization. Such diplomatic results are truly remarkable.
Finally, Wu Tingfang returned to the motherland and devoted himself to the construction of the legal system, making great contributions to abolishing the law of barbaric and heavy punishment, promoting the formulation of new laws, and cultivating legal talents. In his lifetime, he not only won the honor of the country in diplomacy, but also contributed to the modernization and development of Chinese society in the construction of the rule of law.
In general, Wu Tingfang, a hero in the history of Chinese diplomacy, with his outstanding wisdom and spirit of defying hardships and dangers, won China's equal status in the international arena and laid a solid foundation for the country's independence and dignity. His deeds inspire us and make us more convinced that everyone can be part of the driving force on the road to the dream of a strong country, and create their own legend.
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