Imperial Commissioner (Chinese: 欽差大臣) was a high-ranking government official or military general commissioned by the emperor of China during the late Ming (1368–1644) and Qing (1644–1911) dynasties. His power was just below that of the emperor, such that he could command viceroys and provincial governors by imperial edict.
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Main responsibilities
Negotiations with foreign powers, for example Lin Zexu, Qishan and Shen Baozhen) as well as treaty ratification as exemplified by Qiying, Yixin, Prince Gong and Li Hongzhang.
Manage aid and unite local government in response to large-scale natural disasters.
Subsidiary responsibilities
Military recruitment and transport. Examples include Tan Lun, Hong Chengchou, Xiang Rong, Zuo Zongtang and Yuan Shikai
List of Imperial Commissioners (middle and late Ming dynasty)
Imperial Commissioners received a sword of office from the emperor.
1555 Tan Lun wokou suppression
1564 Yan Song
1640 Hong Chengchou against the Qing
List of Imperial Commissioners (late Qing)
1838 Lin Zexu (First Opium War)
1840 Qishan (Qing dynasty)
1842 Qiying
1850 Lin Zexu (Taiping Rebellion)
1852 Ye Mingchen
1852 Xiang Rong
1858 Qiying
1860 Yixin, Prince Gong
1871 Shen Baozhen
1875 Zuo Zongtang
1885 Zuo Zongtang
1895 Li Hongzhang
1896 Li Hongzhang
1911 Zhao Erxun
1911 Yuan Shikai