從“公理”“公法”到伍廷芳的外交實踐

From “Gongli”, “Gongfa” to Wu Tingfangs Diplomatic Practice

本文以伍廷芳的外交實踐為研究對象，以《美國對外關系文件集》和伍廷芳所作的“中國法學”演講稿為主要研究材料，分析伍廷芳在清末民初的外交實踐與當時的國際秩序之間的關聯。伍廷芳對當時的國際秩序的理解根植於其對法律的認識，而在其外交實踐中對當時的國際秩序體系——“公法”體系保持了極致的尊重，並在近代中國生死攸關的外交斡旋中，既保衛了國格和國家利益，又守護了其自身的法律信仰。這恰好說了近代以來中國知識精英群體對西方法律制度的探索，既關系到制度層面的重新構建，又涉及意識形態的轉型。

For the Chinese intellectual elites since modern time, approaching and comprehending the western legal system involve both the ideological transformation and the reconstruction of the ruling system. This article attempts to analyze the relevance between Wu Tingfangs diplomatic practice and the international order of the day, by choosing Wu Ting fangs“China Jurisprudence” and “Papers relating to the foreign relations of the United States, with the annual message of the president transmitted to Congress” as research materials, and Wu Tingfang as the object of study. Wus comprehensions on the international order of the time are rooted in his legal recognition, therefore he showed great respects to order during his diplomatic practice, and succeeded in protecting the nation`s dignity and its interests, as well as his own law belief, in modern Chinas vital rounds of diplomatic mediation.