My Life in China and America · Character

Li Hung Chang

Tsang's brilliant but mercurial successor, a viceroy whose vanity and impulsiveness make him both indispensable and unreliable to Yung Wing's mission.

supporting

Also known as Viceroy Li, Viceroy Li Hung Chang, Li, the Viceroy, Viceroy Chang, Chang

First appearance: XXI: My Recall to China

As a supporting figure in My Life in China and America, Li Hung Chang is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

A prominent viceroy involved in government affairs and modernization efforts.

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Li Hung Chang inherits the Educational Commission from his patron Tsang Kwoh Fan, but he is a different creature entirely—excitable, capricious, susceptible to flattery, and fond of what the Chinese call tall hats. His brusque manner hides a kind heart, yet as a statesman he cannot match Tsang's depth or integrity. Under his wavering patronage the Mission is launched, and Yung Wing must learn to navigate a patron whose moods can build or break a dream.

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Character Web

12 connections

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Relationship types

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Character groups

Key Figures in Yung Wing's Life
Protagonist
Chinese Officials and Associates

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Falling action.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

Yung Wing’s emotional peak is the collision between his personal honor—the joint ministership to Washington—an…

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In the story

Li Hung Chang appears across 11 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

My Life in China and America
A prominent viceroy involved in government affairs and modernization efforts.
XIII: My Interviews with Tsang Kwoh Fan
Mentioned as Tsang Kwoh Fan's protégé and successor, who left a large fortune, contrasting with Tsang's poverty.
XV: My Second Return to China
Cooperates with Viceroy Tsang in ending the Nienfi rebellion and is appointed as lieutenant in the field.
XVI: Proposal of My Educational Scheme
Mentioned as being in the field finishing the Nienfi rebellion, otherwise would have been appointed to the Tientsin settlement.
XVII: The Chinese Educational Mission
Succeeds Tsang as patron of the mission; authorizes building of permanent headquarters.
XVIII: Investigation of the Coolie Traffic in Peru
Viceroy who orders Yung Wing's mission to Peru and uses the photographic evidence to defeat the Peruvian treaty.
XIX: End of the Educational Mission
Viceroy who appointed new commissioners and called attention to Woo's accusations.
Journey to Peking and Death of My Wife
Viceroy Li questions Yung Wing about the recall of the students and expresses his hidden preference to keep them in America.
XXI: My Recall to China
Viceroy who opposes Chang Chi Tung's war plans and the hypothecation of customs revenue for a loan.
XXII: The Coup d'État of 1898
Viceroy who signed the Treaty of Shimonoseki, referenced in context of the war with Japan.
Made a Mandarin
One of the three officials impressed by Wing's reasoning; later becomes Viceroy of Chihli and a key supporter of Wing's project.

Chapter companion notes

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See Li Hung Chang in XXI: My Recall to China

See Li Hung Chang in My Life in China and America