Li was born in
Chongming, then a part of
Jiangsu province. In his early years, he was especially fond of the study of
astronomy as well as mapping, military strategy and phonology. His talents were appreciated by
Ding Richang, governor of Jiangsu. Ding recommended him to
Li Hongzhang. Under Li Hongzhang, Li Fengbao worked at
Jiangnan Shipyard and
Wusong Battery. In 1875, as a secretary of Li Hongzhang, he participated Hongzhang's meeting with British officer
Thomas Francis Wade. In 1877, he was appointed the supervisor of oversea Chinese student in
Britain. These students were sent by the Qing government with the purpose of learning advanced naval technologies. Along with Li was the French naval officer
Prosper Giquel who was another supervisor of the students. In August 1878, he was appointed the commissioner of China to Germany and later Austria-Hungary, Netherlands and Italy after his predecessor
Liu Xihong was recalled to the imperial court. Diplomatic affairs between France and China also concerned Li, according to historical records. During
Sino-French War, Li actively involved in the delivery of the battleship
Chinese ironclad Dingyuan from Germany to China. In 1881, Li visited
Leiden University, Netherlands and met with German scholar
Johann Joseph Hoffmann. == Works ==