鄭觀應均勢思想略論：以“聯暹抗法”為中心

After the Opium War, when Western Powers burst open China’s closed borders with warships and cannons, the Chinese people began to develop the vision of the world. The introduction of the Western theory “balance of power” helped Chinese to take a new look at the world and to gradually establish the modern view of the world. Zheng Guanying (Chiang Kun Ying)’s “balance of power” was inspired by the traditional strategy “vertical and horizontal integration” developed during the Chinese Spring and Autumn period and Warring States period, and influenced by the Western theory “balance of power”. During the Sino-French War, Zheng was ordered to proceed to Southeast Asia striving to unite Siam against France to protect Vietnam from French invasion. However, the King of Siam preferred the West to China. China blindly sued for peace from France but at the same time regarded Siam as a vassal state, resulting in lack of equal diplomatic relations. Zheng Guanying failed to realize the key of “balance of power” is realpolitik. Due to complex factors from individuals, the state and the system, the mission of uniting Siam against France ended up in vain. Although Zheng Guanying’s strategy of uniting Siam against France failed, it prompted Zheng’s theory of “balance of power” to be realistic rather than idealistic. Meanwhile, it helped the Chinese more deeply understand that the essence of “balance of power” is realpolitik, which was still an important enlightenment in dealing with future vassal state issues and in the use and response of diplomatic strategies for China.