Li Hung-Chang was one of the most famous Chinese men of modern times. He became a well-known soldier in many important campaigns including the crushing of the Taiping Rebellion (1850s-60s) and went on to become the Governor-General of Hunan and Hupeh (1867) with the hereditary rank of Ch'i-tu-yü. His negotiating skills lead him to a number of administrative duties and he served as Grand Secretary (1872-1901). As Superintendant of Trade for the North he had to deal with all queries involving foreign relations and the adoption of Western technology. Li was responsible for encouraging economic progress by introducing modern technology to China to keep up with the Western nations who were rapidly encroaching the country. He supported the first government- funded steamship line, the China Merchant's Line, and sponsored the first permanent telegraph lines as well as introducing many other reforms.
Li Hung-Chang was posthumously given the honorary title of Grand Tutor and the hereditary rank of Marquis of the first Class. His name was entered in the Temple of Eminent Statesmen and in later years special temples were erected to his memory in Peking, Tienstin and Shanghai.