Introduction: A Historic Moment of Cultural Exchange in 1867

On October 22, 1867, a significant diplomatic gesture took place that symbolized a new era of engagement between the United States and Qing China. An American envoy, John W. P. Owens, who was about to conclude his mission as the U.S. Minister to China, presented an oil portrait of George Washington—the first President of the United States—to the Qing official Xu Jiyu. This gift was more than a mere token; it was a powerful expression of mutual respect, recognition, and an acknowledgment of Qing China’s early reform efforts. Owens’s accompanying speech praised Xu’s world-minded scholarship and served as a diplomatic bridge between two very different cultures—marking a pivotal moment in Sino-American relations and the broader narrative of China’s late imperial transformation.

The Historical Context: Qing China and the Challenge of Modernization

The mid-19th century was a turbulent period for Qing China. The empire grappled with internal rebellions such as the Taiping Rebellion had exposed Qing China’s military and technological weaknesses, forcing it into a series of unequal treaties that eroded its sovereignty.

Against this backdrop, reform-minded officials and intellectuals sought ways to “open their eyes to the world” and learn from Western powers without sacrificing China’s cultural identity. This era gave rise to the Self-Strengthening Movement , which aimed to adopt Western technology and knowledge while preserving Confucian values.

Xu Jiyu was one of the foremost scholars and officials embodying this spirit of reform. His role in the Qing government and his scholarly works reflected a nuanced understanding of the world beyond China’s borders.

Xu Jiyu: Scholar, Reformer, and Diplomat

Born in 1795, Xu Jiyu was a distinguished official and geographer, renowned for his work “A Brief Account of the Maritime Circuit” , published in the 1840s. This geographic treatise was one of the earliest Chinese attempts to comprehensively document the world beyond China, offering detailed descriptions of foreign countries and cultures.

Xu’s work stood in contrast to many contemporaneous Chinese scholars who clung to traditional Sinocentric views. His open-minded approach and global perspective earned him admiration, but also suspicion and political setbacks. At one point, he was dismissed from office, likely due to conservative backlash against his progressive ideas.

However, by 1867, Xu had been reinstated and appointed head of the Tongwen Guan , an institution established to teach foreign languages and Western knowledge. His return to power was a clear sign that the Qing government was tentatively embracing reform and modernization.

The Gift of George Washington’s Portrait: Symbolism and Diplomacy

John W. P. Owens’s presentation of George Washington’s portrait to Xu Jiyu was laden with symbolic meaning. Owens praised Xu for placing Washington “above all other great men” in his writings, a recognition of American values and leadership by a Chinese scholar. This acknowledgment pleased the American government, prompting President Andrew Johnson to commission the portrait as a gift.

Owens’s speech also acknowledged the difficulties Xu had faced due to his forward-looking views, referencing his previous political dismissal. Yet Owens reassured Xu that the “enlightened government” had now restored him to a position close to the nation’s leadership—a subtle encouragement for continued reform.

This event was not only a diplomatic courtesy but also an international endorsement of Qing China’s reform efforts. American missionary and observer Justus Doolittle noted that Xu’s reinstatement was a “good sign,” signaling China’s willingness to embrace change and engage with the modern world.

Comparing Pioneers: Xu Jiyu and Wei Yuan

When discussing early Chinese reformist scholars who advocated for “opening the eyes to the world,” Wei Yuan . However, Xu Jiyu’s “Brief Account of the Maritime Circuit” was a contemporaneous work of equal, if not greater, scholarly rigor and vision.

Both Wei and Xu were born within a year of each other and produced their geographic treatises during the 1840s, a critical decade in China’s encounter with Western imperialism. Yet their approaches to the world differed markedly.

Wei Yuan accepted some new geographic knowledge, such as the spherical nature of the Earth, and included modern European maps in his work. Nonetheless, he resisted fully abandoning traditional cosmological views and retained the ancient Chinese concept of the world being divided into four continents, derived from Buddhist cosmology. His work reflected a strong cultural superiority complex, positioning China as the “central” and most honorable civilization on earth.

Wei’s attitude toward Western culture and religion was ambivalent at best. While advocating “learning from the barbarians to control the barbarians,” he limited Western strengths to technological prowess, dismissing Western culture and Christianity as inferior or derivative. He even propagated superstitions about Christian missionaries, portraying them as sorcerers using sinister magic and rituals.

Xu Jiyu’s More Balanced Global Perspective

In contrast, Xu Jiyu’s “Brief Account of the Maritime Circuit” avoided many of the ethnocentric biases prevalent in Wei Yuan’s work. Although Xu still placed China at the center of the world—a common intellectual stance of his time—he exhibited a more empirical, less prejudiced approach to foreign cultures and knowledge.

Xu’s geographic descriptions were based on extensive compilation and critical examination of Western sources, including maps and travelogues. He sought to provide accurate information about various countries’ geography, politics, and customs, reflecting a genuine curiosity and respect for the global community.

This more open and pragmatic worldview made Xu a pioneering figure in the intellectual movement that sought to reconcile Chinese traditions with the realities of the modern world. His scholarship not only informed Qing officials but also contributed to the foundation of China’s early modernization efforts.

The Significance of the Tongwen Guan and Late Qing Reform

Xu Jiyu’s appointment as the head of the Tongwen Guan in 1867 was emblematic of the Qing dynasty’s cautious but determined attempts at reform. Established in 1862, the Tongwen Guan was one of the first government-sponsored institutions dedicated to teaching Western languages, sciences, and technology.

The school played a vital role in training a new generation of Chinese officials and scholars who would engage with foreign powers and modernize the state’s administrative and military capabilities. Xu’s leadership underscored the government’s recognition of the need to incorporate Western knowledge systematically.

This institutional reform was part of the broader Self-Strengthening Movement, which sought to bolster China’s position through selective adoption of Western technology, including modern arsenals, shipyards, and telegraph systems. Although conservative factions within the Qing court resisted profound change, the era marked the beginning of China’s complex journey toward modernization.

The Legacy of the 1867 Gift and Early Sino-American Relations

The presentation of George Washington’s portrait was more than a ceremonial exchange; it was a moment that reflected the evolving dynamics between China and the United States. It underscored the potential for cultural dialogue and mutual recognition amid a period of great upheaval.

For the Qing court, the gift symbolized international respect for its reform-minded officials and an acknowledgment that China was part of the global community. For the United States, it was an opportunity to assert soft power, foster goodwill, and promote its values in East Asia.

This event anticipated the increasingly complex relationships the two nations would develop in the decades to come—relationships marked by cooperation, competition, and negotiation in an era of imperialism and modernization.

Conclusion: A Moment of Mutual Recognition in a Time of Change

The 1867 presentation of George Washington’s portrait to Xu Jiyu captures a unique intersection of diplomacy, intellectual history, and reform in late Qing China. It highlights the efforts of individuals like Xu who sought to bridge cultures, embrace new knowledge, and guide their country through turbulent times.

This act of cultural exchange serves as a reminder that even in periods of conflict and uncertainty, dialogue and respect can pave the way for understanding and progress. It also illustrates the deep historical roots of Sino-American relations, which continue to shape global affairs today.

The legacy of Xu Jiyu and the broader reform movement he represented remains a testament to the resilience and adaptability of Chinese civilization in the face of modern challenges—a story that continues to resonate in the present age.