Qing Dynasty Northwestern Frontier Region: Sino-Russian Trade from the Daoguang Dynasty to the Xuantong Dynasty

Author: Mi Zhenbo
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-05-01
Features: From the Daoguang Dynasty to the Xuantong Dynasty, spanning nearly a century, the main focus of China-Russia relations during this period was friendly neighborly relations. Although China lost vast territories in the northeast and northwest during this time, it should be emphasized that the stability of the bilateral relationship was greater than its fluctuations, with border trade playing a significant stabilizing role. The development of China-Russia border trade in the northwest during the Qing Dynasty went through the following stages starting in the mid-19th century:
1. The Daoguang Dynasty as the objectively preparatory stage for trade development;
2. The early Xianfeng Dynasty as the subjectively willing but limited stage for trade development;
3. The stagnation stage in the Tongzhi Dynasty and the early Guangxu Dynasty;
4. The stage marked by the signing of the "China-Russia Treaty of Revision of the Treaty of Ili" in the seventh year of the Guangxu reign, especially after the establishment of Xinjiang as a province, which should be considered the official beginning of China-Russia trade in the northwest;
5. The late Guangxu Dynasty and the Xuantong Dynasty as the stage where the Qing government resolved to govern and ultimately failed in negotiations with Russia. These stages of development coincided with the process of China-Russia demarcation of the northwest border. During the demarcation process, China lost vast territories.