Hu Weide (Chinese: 胡惟德; pinyin: Hú Wéidé; Wade–Giles: Hu Wei-te) (1863 – 24 November 1933) was a Chinese politician and diplomat during the Qing dynasty and the Republic of China.

Hu Weide
胡惟德
Acting President of the Republic of China
In office
20 April 1926 – 13 May 1926
PremierHimself
Preceded byDuan Qirui (as Chief Executive)
Succeeded byYan Huiqing (acting)
Acting Premier of the Republic of China
In office
20 April 1926 – 13 May 1926
PresidentHimself
Preceded byDuan Qirui
Succeeded byYan Huiqing (acting)
Personal details
Born1863
Wuxing District, Huzhou, Zhejiang, Qing dynasty
Died24 November 1933
Beiping, Republic of China
NationalityRepublic of China
Political partyNon-partisan
EducationShanghai Interpreters' College
AwardsOrder of the Double Dragon
Order of Rank and Merit
Order of the Precious Brilliant Golden Grain
Order of the Rising Sun

Biography

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Though related by marriage to the Qing dynasty, he accepted the creation of the Republic and served in its foreign ministry, having previously been the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Qing Dynasty as a member of Yuan Shikai's Cabinet. He served as ambassador to Russia, Japan, and France; and was a rival of Wu Tingfang. He was also a judge of the Permanent Court of International Justice.

After Duan Qirui was ousted from Beijing in 1926, Hu served briefly as acting president and premier.

Hu Weide's political career is unique in that his career did not end with the passage of power from one form of government to another. He was a prominent politician and diplomat in the late Qing Dynasty as well as the early Republic of China. His role in the Chinese diplomacy history is immense, although he is also considered by many as being responsible for the feeble diplomacy practiced by China. Hu was truly one of the first Chinese politicians with a strong grasp of global affairs. He graduated from the Shanghai Interpreters' College. His proficiency in English, French and Russian allowed him to pursue the study of these countries, which made him a specialist in these nations.[1]

Hu Weide's stature in the Chinese and international diplomatic sphere can be gauged from the fact that he was a member of the Chinese delegation at the Treaty of Versailles and at The Hague Peace Conference. Although he did not receive praise for his work to bring democracy in China, he played a vital role in persuading the late Qing Government to relinquish power in favor of the new Republic.[1]

 
Hú Wéidé
 
Hú Wéidé in a group photo.

References

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  1. ^ a b "Hu Weide". Retrieved 1 November 2013.
Political offices
Preceded by President of the Republic of China
1926
Succeeded by
Preceded by Premier of the Republic of China
1926
Succeeded by