Gong
Born: Jan 11, 1833 AD
Died: 1898 AD, at 65 years of age.
Nationality:
Chinese
Categories:
Prince
1850 - The sixth son of Emperor Daoguang, he was made a prince of the first degree and became prominent at the top level of national government.
1860 - In September, Emperor Xianfeng appointed him as the Imperial representative in charge of peace negotiations with the invading Anglo-French forces, which resulted in the Conventions of Peking in October.
1861 - His adoption of a more conciliatory attitude towards the West, he proposed to Emperor Xianfeng that a special government unit be set up to handle all foreign-trade-related matters, and the Zongli Yamen was established.
- Upon the death of Emperor Xianfeng, Prince Gong was the man who steered China's foreign and military policies for the next two decades.
1884 - The Empress Dowager Cixi dismissed Prince Gong from all his official duties.
1894-1895 - During the Sino-Japanese War, he was reinstated to the top positions dealing with military and foreign affairs. He died a few years later.
Page last updated: 12:53am, 24th Feb '07