黎庶昌の對日外交論策とその周邊 : 琉球問題・朝鮮問題をめぐって

Abstract

In the 1880's, the problems of Korea and the Ryukyu Islands were the two most significant unsolved issues existing between Japan and China. In this paper, I examine Li Shuchang's development of diplomatic policies toward Japan in relation to the domestic and foreign affairs of both countries in this era. At the time when Li Shuchang arrived in Tokyo, relations between Japan and China had become strained over the issue of efforts to address this by securing the necessary conditions for the restoration of the Ryukyu Kingdom. Li offered various proposals in light of the evolving international circumstances, particularly those closely related to Korea. The main contents of his proposals were as follows: 1) In August 1882, a month after the Imo Incident 壬午事變, Li Shuchang proposed the annexation of Korea to China. 2) In the latter half of 1883, in consideration of the escalation of the Chinese-French War, Li Shuchang proposed the co-protection of Korea by China, Japan, and the United States in return for the restoration of the Ryukyu Kingdom. 3) At the beginning of 1885, soon after the Kapsin Coup d'Etat 甲申政變, Li proposed the abandonment of Chinese claims to the Ryukyu Islands in exchange for Japanese nonintervention in Korea. 4) In 1890, Li again presented his proposals of 1885 for the establishment of friendly relations between China and Japan to the Zongli Yaman 總理衙門. Finally, in January 1891, Li submitted the conclusion of the new China-Japan treaty of alliance in exchange for the unconditional surrender of the Ryukyu Islands to Japan. Thus, Li Shuchang's diplomatic policies toward Japan changed from a position advocating the restoration of the Ryukyu Kingdom to a position advocating the surrender of the Ryukyu Islands, and from a proposal for the annexation of Korea to China to a proposal for the co-protection of Korea by China and Japan. Despite this evolution of policies, however, Li Shuchang's adviser, Yao Wendong 姚文棟, continued to insist on the restoration of the Ryukyu Kingdom.