Anglo-Chinese Encounters since 1800 War, Trade, Science and Governance [Hardcover]

A penetrating and sophisticated 2003 account of the relationship between China and imperial Britain.Wang Gungwu's beautifully written and penetrating study of the relationship between China and the Chinese with imperial Britain, examines the possibilities in, as well as the limits of, their encounters. It takes the story beyond the clichés of opium, fighting, and the diplomatic skills needed to fend off rivals and enemies, and probes some areas of more intimate encounters, not least the beginnings of a wider English-speaking future. Students and scholars will enjoy and benefit from the erudition of one of the leading scholar's in the field.Wang Gungwu's beautifully written and penetrating study of the relationship between China and the Chinese with imperial Britain, examines the possibilities in, as well as the limits of, their encounters. It takes the story beyond the clichés of opium, fighting, and the diplomatic skills needed to fend off rivals and enemies, and probes some areas of more intimate encounters, not least the beginnings of a wider English-speaking future. Students and scholars will enjoy and benefit from the erudition of one of the leading scholar's in the field.Wang Gungwu's study of the relationship between China and the Chinese with imperial Britain examines the possibilities, as well as the limits of their encounters. Beyond the clichés of opium, fighting, and the diplomatic skills needed to fend off rivals and enemies, Gungwu probes areas of more intimate encounters, not least of which is the beginning of a broader English-speaking future between the two countries.1. Introduction; 2. To fight; 3. To trade; 4. To convert; 5. To rule; 6. Beyond Waley's list. Anglo-Chinese Encounters is the beautifully written reflections by a noted East Asian scholar at the peak of his career. Hopefully, it will be read widely by those interested in China and its relationship to the West. History ...this book represents a breath of freslCÇ