Guo Songtao

Guo Songtao (Chinese郭嵩焘/郭嵩焘, Pinyin Guo Sōngdào; * 1818, † 1891) was the first ambassador of the Chinese empire in the UK and at the same time the first Chinese ambassador in the West.

He graduated with moderate success, the Chinese civil service and held various positions within the imperial Verwaltungsaparates ( uA financial director, salt inspector ). In 1876, he became the first Chinese ambassador to London ( recall: 1878). His job was primarily a matter of the European " barbarians " to observe a diplomatic representation in China was deemed unnecessary. Rather, the sending of an ambassador from the Chinese perspective meant a humiliation.