Elizabeth I and Empress Wu, the former was the last queen of Tudor Dynasty in England and the latter was an empress who had crowned herself as the regent of Tang Dynasty. The two female monarchs had many similarities. First, in terms of cultur al policies, both implemented moderately flexible policies, which promoted cultural development. Second, in terms of heir prob lem, both did not determine their successors until old age so as that their heirs to the throne would not threaten their own politi cal status. Third, in terms of religion, both implemented religious tolerance policies, which helped avoid social unrest and strengthened centralization of authority. However, due to different historical era and environment where the two female mon archs lived, there still exist many differences between their policies. First, in matters of economy, Elizabeth I adopted mercantilist policies, while Empress Wu took agriculture into serious consideration and scorned commerce and trade. Second, in matters of military policies, under the leadership of Elizabeth I, the war between England and Spain took very long time and suffered tre mendous losses, while Empress Wu was more successful in solving the border problem of her country.
