author
Tingfang Wu
1842–1922
A Chinese diplomat, lawyer, and reform-minded public figure, he helped explain China to Western audiences while arguing for legal and political change at a turning point in modern Chinese history. His career stretched from the late Qing dynasty into the early Republic, giving him a front-row seat to an era of upheaval and reinvention.
1 Audiobook
America, Through the Spectacles of an Oriental Diplomat
by Tingfang Wu
About the author
Born in Singapore in 1842 and educated in Hong Kong, Wu Ting-fang—also known as Ng Choy—became one of the first Chinese figures trained in British law. He built a career that linked Chinese and Western legal worlds, and he was known not only as a statesman but also as a writer and calligrapher.
Wu served the Qing government as a diplomat and was posted to the United States, Spain, and Peru. He became especially well known abroad for his skill in public speaking and for defending Chinese interests at a time of intense international pressure, including the era of anti-Chinese exclusion laws.
After the 1911 Revolution, he continued to play an important role in public life during the early Republic of China, serving in senior posts including foreign affairs. Remembered as a reformer as well as a negotiator, he stands out as a figure who tried to modernize government and law while helping foreign readers understand China beyond stereotypes.