World Expositions and the Shaping of the Chinese Concept of "State" during the Late Qing Dynasty

Author(s): Hong Zhenqiang

Abstract: Through international expositions,the modern West used external pressure to influence the shaping of the Chinese concept of "state" during the late Qing dynasty.In discussions and speeches at such expositions,Qing dynasty representatives frequently used the word "state",and at the same time raised strong protests against many acts humiliating China.The connotations of the concept of "state" in these utterances and protests was a reflex conceptual transplant from the modern West charged with emotion;it was very unlike the traditional image of China purposely displayed by the Qing government,i.e.,the country as a trinity of the dynasty,the culture and agriculture.Although it did not have the true meaning of a modern state,the concept offered a value goal for building a strong and prosperous modern state.Therefore,the more rapidly the concept of "state" took shape,and the more it took hold in society,the sooner plans could be made for the overthrow of the Qing and the setting up and establishment of a new "state."