Translation and Reception of Zeng Jize's Diplomatic Journal in 19th-Century English World:A Study of Western Views of Zeng's Idea of"Chinese Origin of Western Learning"
Qing Diplomat Zeng Jize(1830-1890)is a well-known intellectual in learning and using Western knowledge.Existing research has discussed how Zeng interpreted and promoted modern knowledge under the idea of"Chinese origin of Western learning".However,a few researchers have noticed that the influence of Zeng's idea of"Chinese origin of Western learning"in the West.By identifying the production and dissemination of three translated versions of Zeng's diplomatic journal in the 19th-century English world,this study examines the debates surrounding Zeng's idea of"Chinese origin of Western learning"among English newspapers.It reveals that the English newspapers interpreted Zeng's idea in three different ways:The first interpretation indicated that Zeng emphasized the essential similarities between Chinese and Western culture to promote modern machinery in China;the second one argued that the prominence of Chinese culture in Zeng's idea reflected the Sino-barbarian dichotomy;the third one developed the deterioration opinion from Zeng's idea to criticize the prevailing confidence in the upward evolution.The first two types of interpretations are consistent with the previous research of"Chinese origin of Western learning".The last type is contrary to Zeng's favor of introducing Western science and technology,but it helps to discover Zeng's critical reflection on industrialization as well as the controversial situation of industrialization in Western countries.
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