务存大体量为变通——鸦片战争时期耆英对外交涉思想探析之一

耆英是中国近代第一批从事对外交涉的主要代表之一。“务存大体,量为变通”是第一次鸦片战争时期耆英对外交涉的两个重要的原则。在对外交涉中,耆英试图尽力维护中国传统的对外观念及其对外体制,保持天朝上国的尊严。而在列强的军事恫吓下,他被迫签订了近代中国第一批不平等条约,丧失了大量的国家主权。对此,耆英则以“法穷则变,量为变通”为词来辩护。

Maintain the Fundamentals, and Accommodate the Minor Matters——Qi Ying's Diplomatic Thoughts during the Opium War Times

Qi Ying was one of the first representatives of diplomacy during the modern China.To maintain the fundamentals and accommodate the minor matters were his two important principles.Although Qi Ying attempted to maintain the traditional diplomatical ideas and its systems,and to keep our national dignity in the imperial dynasty,after being threatened by the big powers he was finally obliged to accept the first unfair treaties of modern China,which losed sorts of sovereign rights.As for it Qi Ying gave an explanation for him by saying about reform's activity.