From ancient times to the present, people all over the world know that there is a giant dragon named Huaxia Civilization in the East. Its vast land, the wisdom of its people, and the constant wars, the strength of the country has grown stronger with the rise and fall of successive dynasties.
China's successive dynasties led to unprecedented power and prosperity. Although the Qing Dynasty was the last dynasty of China, it began the humiliating history of the Chinese nation, but it also had a brief period of prosperity.
In the early Qing Dynasty, China's national strength was very high, which was beyond the reach of other civilizations in the world at that time. At that time, the land beneath our feet had been war-torn for nearly a hundred years, but the influence of the Qing Dynasty covered 19 small countries around China: Korea, Ryukyu, Vietnam, Nanzhang, Siam, Burma, Gurkor, Sulu, Khamjuti, Kokand, Burut, Sak, Andijan, Margalang, Namgang, Tashkent, Afghanistan, Sikkim and Bhutan.
The total area of these vassal states was about 3 million square kilometers, and with the addition of 13 million square kilometers of mainland China, the total land area of the Qing Dynasty at that time reached 16 million square kilometers.
This is more than 35% of the total area of Asia and is a magnificent chapter in China's history.
In the mid-19th century, the vassal states of the Qing Dynasty had a bad fate. As the Qing Dynasty's national power declined, countries began to catch up, resulting in 19 vassal states becoming independent or annexed one after another.
Korea was the earliest vassal state, but Japan's covetousness led it to attack continuously, and the Qing Dynasty resisted but was eventually forced to sign a humiliating treaty.
After the signing of the Treaty of Shimonoseki, the Guangxu Emperor accepted Li Hongzhang's suggestion and temporarily shelved the Ryukyu issue, hoping that the Qing Dynasty would regain its strength before recovering it.
However, this wish was not realized.
During the Shunzhi period of the Qing Dynasty, Li Hongzhang successfully defeated the French ** team that tried to attack Zhennanguan in a battle in the 11th year of Guangxu. Although the French occupied Penghu in Taiwan during the war, they eventually renounced their use of force and turned to negotiations to win over Vietnam.
After negotiations between China and France, Li Hongzhang agreed to return the Penghu area of Taiwan occupied by France to China in exchange for control of Vietnam. After much deliberation, Guangxu finally agreed to the exchange.
Vietnam: In the 11th year of Guangxu, it broke away from the Qing Dynasty and became a French colony. After many generations of struggle, Vietnam became independent in 1945. Burma: During the Qianlong period, it was officially submitted to the Qing Dynasty.
As the Qing dynasty weakened, the British attacked and occupied Burma. The Qing Dynasty tried to negotiate with the British, but it was ineffective, and eventually lost control of Burma and became independent of Nanzhang and Siam.
Kanjuti is a term that may refer to a region located in Southeast and South Asia, including Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka.
This area has attracted attention for its unique geographical location, rich history and culture, and diverse ethnic composition.
During the decline of the Qing Dynasty, Pakistan's Kokand, Burut and Sak voluntarily chose to secede and were eventually incorporated into their territory by Russia. During Qianlong's reign, Andijan, Margalang, Namugan, and Tashkent were all vassal states of the Qing Dynasty, and they are now part of Uzbekistan.
The Kingdom of Sikkim in Bhutan has also had such an experience.
The wheels of history roll forward, and each era has its own unique challenges and opportunities. As a world power, China was once the world hegemon and won the respect and admiration of other countries.
However, centuries of history are fleeting, and China has fallen from its heyday to become a catch-up. No one knows the changes and development of the world pattern, but we all understand that world status is closely related to strength, and only by being strong can we win respect.
After a century of war, China has gradually become stronger, but it is not strong enough, and we need to continue to work hard to truly win the respect of the world. Today, China faces various challenges, such as the border conflict between China and India, the Taiwan issue, and sanctions against Huawei, which China must face as it becomes stronger.
China still has a long way to go to become truly strong, and we cannot stand still, and we must continue to work hard to achieve our goals.
Despite the rapid changes in the world, the law of the jungle remains eternal. Historically, many of the Qing Dynasty's vassal states have disappeared into the dust of history, and only those countries that rely on their own strength have survived.
The reason why China has been able to regain its life in the midst of artillery fire is precisely because the spirit of unremitting self-improvement has been burning. The glorious rejuvenation of the Chinese nation in the past is inseparable from the inheritance of the spirit of unremitting self-improvement and the united efforts of hundreds of millions of Chinese sons and daughters.