What kind of person is Li Hongzhang?

Throughout Li Hongzhang's life, there were many remarkable things, but under the imperial power system, his ambitions were not realized. This is a national and personal tragedy. Li Hongzhang was an elite of that era. A great weapon of the country, rarely seen in a century. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, the evaluation of Li Hongzhang was very biased, and Li Hongzhang was often portrayed as a traitor. This view is inconsistent with history. Li Hongzhang enjoys a high reputation internationally. When Li Hongzhang visited the United States in 1896, an American reporter described it this way: His face had a striking kind expression, his eyes were bright and sparkling with wisdom, and his eyes contained humor and wit. He wore a pair of old-fashioned hard-framed glasses, his cheekbones were high but not thin, and his dark skin looked very strong... He never looked arrogant. He is the kind of person who never asks for anything from others but always gets it. He could talk easily without making the person he was talking to nervous... He was especially polite to women and fond of children. When Li Hongzhang paid homage to General Grant's mausoleum, the Americans were even more impressed. They described it this way: ...The behavior of this distinguished guest was very touching. He stood up straight reverently and murmured in an extremely sad voice: " Farewell." His thoughts returned to the scene when he met General Grant 17 years ago. At that time, they had a harmonious conversation because he, like the general, had been on the battlefield for a long time to save the motherland. His farewell ceremony caught his entourage and American escorts by surprise. However, this is the most sincere eulogy and the most meaningful farewell full of respect: "Farewell, my brother!" - The standard, courtesy and popularity of the reception Li Hongzhang received in the United States were unparalleled when he later visited None of the beautiful Chinese leaders such as Deng Xiaoping and others can compare with him. Li Hongzhang's friendliness to the Americans and the favor he gained from the Americans were finally rewarded in the subsequent negotiations on the Eight-Nation Allied Forces incident. But Li Hongzhang would not give up any opportunity to fight for the rights of Chinese immigrants in the United States. After his visit to the United States, he deliberately avoided the western United States and chose Canada as his route back home, which attracted the attention of American reporters. Interview with him. Li Hongzhang took the opportunity to ask the American media to help Chinese immigrants: "...I only hope that the American press can help Chinese immigrants. I know that newspapers have a great influence in this country, and I hope that the entire press can help Chinese immigrants and call for Repeal the Chinese Exclusion Act, or at least make major changes to the Gurley Act...Chinese immigrants in places like California who have not been able to obtain their rights under the U.S. Constitution are asking me to help get their U.S. immigration status fully recognized. And enjoy the rights they should enjoy as immigrants in the United States. However, your "Greece Law" not only does not give them the same rights as immigrants from other countries, but also refuses to protect their legal rights and interests. Therefore, I do not like to treat my compatriots in this way. place... The Chinese Exclusion Act is the most unfair bill in the world... Aren't you very proud of being Americans? Your country represents the highest modern civilization in the world, and you are also proud of your democracy and freedom. Proud, but is your Chinese Exclusion Act free for the Chinese? This is not freedom! ... I believe that the American press can help Chinese immigrants to cancel the Chinese Exclusion Act.

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