The Empress Dowager Cixi, on behalf of the Tongzhi Emperor, wishes to greet the sovereigns of the world. While we express regret over the instability in many nations, we must emphasize the importance of ren in all societies, and of filial piety: rebels who break bonds of filial piety with their masters should not be supported. To that end, we wish the government of the United States of America good fortune against their rebel factions, even as we ourselves fight against a few small rebellions in our southeast.
Furthermore, the Qing Empire wishes to announce a change in policy. Hitherto, we have closed our borders to nations. However, in the future, the Qing Empire shall open itself entirely to foreign trade. All products may be traded at any port, excluding ports under the control of rebel elements, namely, Ningbo, Hangzhou, Suzhou, and Nanking. Merchants of all nations are welcome in China. However, in exchange for granting full trade rights, the Qing Empire can no longer grant rights of extraterritoriality to foreign nationals. Though we pledge that, over the next several years, as we continue to pursue our Self-Strengthening Movement, laws will modernize, and regulations will become less burdensome.
Furthermore, the Ever Victorious Army of the Qing Empire seeks to modernize itself. Our wish is to purchase rifles and artillery from any nation that will make an offer. At present, we wish to purchase 100,000 rifles and 50 artillery pieces. We will hear offers on price from any nation.
Re: Japanese Declaration
Her Excellency the Dowager Empress, on behalf of the Tongzhi Emperor, greets our friend Emperor Komei of Japan, and wishes to extend an offer of exchange: 50 officials of the Chinese court to travel to Japan's court, and 50 officials of the Japanese court to travel to Peking.
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To: The Monarch of Spain
Re: Claims in the South China Sea
The Empress Dowager wishes to resolve longstanding disputes in these lands. In exchange for 10,000 rifles and 5 artillery pieces, as well as a 2 year commitment from Spanish military advisors and officers to train Chinese soldiers, the Qing Empire shall relinquish claim to all islands in the South China Sea, and recognize Spain's claim, except for Hainan and Taiwan.
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To: The Kingdom of the Netherlands
Re: Trading and Land Holdings in the Indies
The Empress Dowager, on behalf of the Tiongzhi Emperor, recognizes the great profit got by Dutch traders in the East Indies, and also sees the stability brought to those islands by Dutch control. As such, the Empress desires to come to an agreement with the Kingdom of the Netherlands with regards to the island of Borneo. In order to assist Dutch rule over it, the Empress Dowager would be pleased to instruct Chinese expatriots to show loyalty to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and to assist that regime in any way they might. Furthermore, the Empress Dowager is pleased to inform the Kingdom of the Netherlands that the ports of south China are now fully open to Dutch traders.
