This image has no title, and was likely taken by an anonymous Chinese photographer (at Qing government direction) in Tientsin, China [1879] during Ulysses S. Grant's visit there with notable Chinese Viceroy Li Hung Chang. [RESTORED] I cleaned up a few spots, adjusted contrast and added a sepia tone.

Richard Nixon is widely acknowledged as being the first US president to visit China. However, he was only the first sitting US president to do so (that is, he visited China as an official part of his duties). Previous US presidents, both before and after serving in that office, had already beaten him to the punch. Eg. Herbert Hoover, before taking office, was in the foreign legation in Peking during the 1900 Boxer siege; while Ulysses S Grant, the 18th US President, visited China as a part of his world tour upon the completion of his second term.

The image was originally devoid of any background, as it seem that it had been masked and then had its background stripped. This was often done as some photographic backgrounds were considered either too confusing to be reproduced faithfully in newsprint, or inappropriate for the story line (as decided by any random news editor) to be shown. Or, the original photo may have included minor underlings or servants that an editor wanted to eliminate. Grant undertook his world tour to drum up political support after closing his second term in the wake of scandal. He was well received abroad, and in fact, was afforded a hero's welcome just about everywhere he went. While in China, Grant was asked to mediate competing land claims of the Ryukyu Islands between China and Japan. However, this failed to have any lasting effect on his domestic appeal, and he lost a third term nomination bid to political rival James A. Garfield.

A book entitled Grant's Tour Around The World... written in 1880 by JF Packard, can be downloaded freely from Google Books

PDF: books.google.com/books/download/Grant_s_tour_around_the_w...

ePUB: books.google.com/books/download/Grant_s_tour_around_the_w...

A short excerpt, that includes the setting for what I believe to be for the taking of this photo:

"Li-Hung-Chang strikes you at first by his stature, which would be unusual in a European, and was especially notable among his Chinese attendants, over whom he towered. He has a keen eye, a large head and wide forehead, and speaks with a quick, decisive manner. When he met the General he studied his face curiously, and seemed to show great pleasure, not merely the pleasure expressed in mere courtesy, but sincere gratification. Between the General and the Viceroy friendly relations grew up, and while in Tientsin they saw a great deal of each other. The Viceroy said at the first meeting that he did not care merely to look at General Grant or even to make his acquaintance, but to know him well and talk with him. As the Viceroy is known to be among the advanced school of Chinese statesmen, not afraid of railways and telegraphs, and anxious to strengthen and develop China by all the agencies of outside civilization, the General found a ground upon which they could meet and talk. The subject so near to the Viceroy's heart is one about which few men living are better informed than General Grant. During his stay in China, wherever the General has met Chinese statesmen, he has impressed upon them the necessity of developing their country and of doing it themselves. No man has ever visited China who has had the opportunities of seeing Chinese statesmen accorded to the General, and he has used these opportunities to urge China to throw open her barriers and be one in commerce and trade with the outer world.

The visit of the Viceroy to the General was returned next day in great pomp. There was a marine guard from the Ashuelot. We went to the viceregal palace in the Viceroy's yacht, and as we steamed up the river, every foot of ground, every spot on the junks, was covered with people. At the landing, troops were drawn up. A chair lined with yellow silk — such a chair as is only used by the Emperor — was awaiting the General. As far as the eye could reach the multitude stood expectant and gazing, and we went to the palace through a line of troops, who stood with arms at a present. Amid the firing of guns, the beating of gongs, our procession slowly marched to the palace-door. The Viceroy, surrounded by his mandarins and attendants, welcomed the General. At the close of the interview, the General and the Viceroy sat for a photograph. This picture Li-Hung-Chang wished to preserve as a memento of the General's visit, and it was taken in one of the palace-rooms. A day or two later there was a ceremonial dinner given in a temple. The hour was noon, and the Viceroy invited several guests to meet the General. Of Chinese there were several high officials. Among the Europeans were Judge Denny, Mr. Forrest, the British Consul; Mr. Dillon, the French Consul; Colonel Grant, the German and Russian Consuls, Mr. Detring, the Commissioner of Customs; Mr. Pethich, the Vice-Consul, Commander M. L. Johnson, commanding the Ashuelot, and the commander of the British gunboat the Frolic. The dinner was a stupendous, princely affair, containing all the best points of Chinese and European cookery, and, although the hour was noon, the afternoon had far gone when it came to an end."

Source: Grant's Tour Around The World, by JF Packard, 1880; Forshee & McMakin, Cincinnati, Ohio p711-713