Li Hung-Chang, << lee hoong jahng >> (1823-1901), was a Chinese statesman. He started programs to modernize China’s military forces and to develop its industry.
Li was born in Anhwei province. He won fame when he helped crush the Taiping Rebellion (1850-1864), which threatened to overthrow the Manchu rulers of China. From 1870 to 1895, Li was China’s leading statesman. He held key government posts, negotiated treaties with other nations, and helped China’s self-strengthening movement by introducing military and technological methods used in Western nations. Despite these improvements, China lost the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895. Li was severely criticized after that, and had to give up many of his powers.
