Until the late nineteenth century, the history of international law was remarkably Eurocentric. In the early twentieth century, however, a number of Chinese intellectuals examined and demonstrated existence of international law through the Spring and Autumn and Warring States Period in China. They used international law as a symbol of civilisation to express a gesture of resistance toward the Western imperial oppression and cultural invasion. In this way, Chinese intellectuals hoped to maintain, publicise, or even resurrect China’s rich cultural tradition in a global order governed by the West. Their endeavour represented an important variable in the European imperialist expansion process and constituted political interaction with western ideas to create a truly universal discourse. Unfortunately, most of their efforts have almost been forgotten. What the readers could perceive from these faded writings are not only academic assertions, but also the final splendour of an aged empire.

I. Introduction
 II. The Translation and Introductory Workof W.A.P. Martin
 III. The Embryonic Stage
 IV. The Developing Stage
  A. Two Rules of International Law
  B. Two Histories of International Law
 V. The Maturation Stage
  A. System Building
  B. Legal Sources
 VI. Conclusion

• Ping Yi(Associate Professor of International Law at Peking University (PKU))