In the Spring and Autumn and Warring States period, MO Di proposed the principles of mutual respect, mutual benefit, and equality in dealing with diplomatic affairs.

One of his many diplomatic feats was to help create a "Concert of Europe" -a system by which four or five big powers kept miscreants in check and managed the affairs of smaller states.

Du Fengzhi took part in many "foreign affairs" activities under orders from the Governor-general, and his diaries recorded some of the diplomatic negotiations in Guangdong at the time.