张之洞与苏州租界的开辟

中日甲午战争后 ,日本和清政府从苏州开始新设租界的谈判 ,署理两江总督张之洞是中方的主要领导。他在中国已败的大局下 ,坚持取益防损的原则 ,组织谈判班子 ,就苏州租界界址、运行方式、章程签订等问题同日方据理力争 ,力挽国权 ,影响深远

Zhang Zhi-dong and Opening of Suzhou Settlement

After Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895, Japan and the government of Qing Dynasty started the negotiation for new settlement in Suzhou. Zhang Zhi-dong, the governor-general of Jiangnan and Jiangxi who acted as deputy, was the chief leader of China. Under overall situation of China's failure, he held firmly to getting benefit and guarding against harm and formed a negotiation group.Moreover,he made vigorous efforts for national power by arguing strongly with Japan on such issues as the address of Suzhou settlement, the method of operation and the signature of regulations, which exerted a profound influence.