载沣使德述论

光绪二十七年 (1 90 1年 )因义和团运动中发生的克林德事件 ,醇亲王载沣被任命为专使往德国谢罪。这是清朝第一次派亲王出洋。出于报复心理 ,德皇在礼仪问题上刁难载沣使团。德皇要求坐受国书 ,醇亲王行三鞠躬礼 ,且参赞随员须向他叩首。清朝方面不堪受辱 ,为此与德国方面多方交涉转圜 ,最终在勉强挽回清朝面子的基础上礼仪之争得以解决。在整个使德过程中 ,载沣表现的民族气节、才能及谦逊赢得了中外舆论的高度评价

On Tsai Feng''s Mission to Germany

Because of the Ketteler Event in the Boxer Rebellion, Prince Chun Tsai Feng was appointed special envoy to Germany in 1901 to offer an apology. It was the first time that the Late Qing Dynasty had sent princes abroaol. The German Emperor took revenge on China by making thinas difficult in the ceremony and propriety. The emperor demanded that he should remain seated while Prince Chun's counselors and entourages should perform the kowtow to him and Prince Chun present the credentials. The late Qing government felt mortified at the demands and carried on negotiations with Germany. In the end,the dispute was settled by making a compromise and China could barely save face. Throughout the mission, Tsai Feng had showed his national intergrity, modesty and ability, which impressed the public deeply.