Viceroy of Zhili

Viceroy of Zhili
Chinese: 直隸總督
Banner of the Governor, saying "the most Pious and Primus Pastor", given by Yongzheng Emperor in 1733
Government Flag
Li Hongzhang, who served as the Viceroy of Zhili for 25 years and played a vital role in China's modernization
StyleGovernor
Status
ResidenceOffice of Viceroy of Zhili (in present-day Lianchi, Baoding, Hebei)
Term lengthundefinitive
Precursor
  • Ming Dynasty: Beizhili Province (Directly Subordinate Province in North, governed directly from Beijing)
  • Early Qing Dynasty (1648-1658): Viceroy of Tri-Province of Zhili, Henan and Shandong
Formation1658-1911
First holderZhang Cunren
Final holderZhang Zhenfang
Viceroy of Zhili
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese直隸總督
Simplified Chinese直隶总督
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinZhílì Zǒngdū
Wade–GilesChih2-li4 Tsung3-tu1
Governor-General of the Directly Subordinate Province and Other Local Areas, in Charge of Military Affairs, Food and Salary, Management of Rivers and Governor Affairs
(full title)
Traditional Chinese總督直隸等處地方,提督軍務、糧餉、管理河道兼巡撫事
Simplified Chinese总督直隶等处地方,提督军务、粮饷、管理河道兼巡抚事
Transcriptions
Manchu name
Manchu scriptᡷᡳᠯᡳ
ᡠᡥᡝᡵᡳ
ᡴᠠᡩᠠᠯᠠᡵᠠ
ᠠᠮᠪᠠᠨ
Romanizationjyli uheri kadalara amban

The Viceroy of Zhili, officially in Chinese as the Governor-General of the Directly Subordinate Province and Other Local Areas, in Charge of Military Affairs, Food and Wages, Management of Rivers and Governor Affairs, was one of eight regional Viceroys during the Qing dynasty. The Viceroy of Zhili had jurisdiction of military, civil, and political affairs over then Zhili Province (nowadays approx. Hebei, Beijing suburban, Tianjin). The Governor's Office sat in then Zhili Province's Baoding Prefecture City (nowadays Baoding City's Lianchi District).

The Viceroy of Zhili was an important post because the province of Zhili, which literally means "directly ruled," was the area surrounding the imperial capital, Beijing. The administrative centre was in Tianjin even though the provincial capital was in Baoding. The Viceroy's duties as well as responsibilities have never been defined entirely. Generally speaking, the Viceroy oversaw the military and civil affairs of Zhili, Shandong and Henan provinces. The Viceroy of Zhili was also highly influential in imperial court politics. The position was set up in 1648 and abolished in 1912.