Zhang Yinhuan (Chang Yen Hoon)

Zhang Yinhuan entered diplomacy after provincial work in military administration, river conservancy, coastal defenses, and customs. Appointed to the United States, Spain, and Peru, he reached Washington in 1886. He continued his predecessor's claim for compensation after the Rock Springs massacre and received the American payment in March 1887. ¹

Immigration and violence against Chinese residents remained central to his mission. A proposed treaty in 1888 did not secure ratification, while the Scott Act further restricted Chinese workers' return to the United States. In January 1889, Zhang formally accepted a separate congressional payment of $276,619.75 for losses caused by anti-Chinese violence. The accompanying American communication described the payment as humanitarian assistance and expressly withheld an admission of legal liability. ^{1, 2}

After returning to China, Zhang undertook further negotiations with Japan and represented the Qing court at Queen Victoria's diamond jubilee in 1897. His account of travel and service on three continents appeared in 1896. Associated with the reform politics of 1898, he was exiled to Urumqi and executed in 1900. He also wrote poetry, painted, and collected art. ¹