Many people later accused Li Hongzhang of being a traitor, but this evaluation was too one-sided. Li Hongzhang did sign many treaties on behalf of the Qing Dynasty. He presided over the signing of Yantai Treaty, Sino-French New Testament and treaty of shimonoseki, but in this process, Li Hongzhang always strived for the best interests of the country.
Li Hongzhang should not be blamed for this crime. The culprit is the decadent and backward Qing Dynasty. Li Hongzhang is more like a shield and scapegoat. Only when the country is strong can diplomats strive for more benefits for the country, and when the country is weak, diplomats can do nothing. Li Hongzhang played a positive role in the development of modern China, and it is impossible to beat a person with one stick.
Li Hongzhang's contribution to the development of the Chinese nation is still great. Promote the process of military modernization, establish beiyang fleet belonging to our own country, carry out modern military reform, and cultivate military talents in the new era. The Xin Chou Treaty is the last unequal treaty signed by Li Hongzhang on behalf of the Qing Dynasty. Since then, Li Hongzhang died in Beijing at the age of 79. Li Hongzhang is controversial, and later generations have different opinions on him.