The Problem of China in the British Foreign Office Mind
Book 1
Book 2
Book 3
Book 1
Book 2
Book 3
Book 1
Book 2
Book 3
Book 1
Book 2
Book 3
Home > History and Archaeology > History > Asian history > The Problem of China in the British Foreign Office Mind: Understanding a Rising Superpower, 1922-1985
The Problem of China in the British Foreign Office Mind: Understanding a Rising Superpower, 1922-1985

The Problem of China in the British Foreign Office Mind: Understanding a Rising Superpower, 1922-1985


     0     
5
4
3
2
1



International Edition


X
About the Book

This book is a work of British diplomatic history that illuminates how Britain’s China officials grappled with China’s changing position in international affairs during the 20th century. Arguing that the idea of a ‘rising China’ was recognised by these officials as early as the 1920s, and that they actively took steps to plan for this eventuality, Yule-Smith shows how they were guided by a strategic, long-term view of what Britain should try to achieve in its relations with China. This dilemma of how to reconcile a country that then appeared weak and disordered, with the view that it would once again return to great power, became understood in Foreign Office circles as the ‘problem of China’.

This book will challenge the idea that the concept of a ‘rising China’ did not emerge until the 1980s or later, instead asserting that a small cadre of experts were exploring what China’s return to power would mean for both the UK and the wider international order as early as the 1920s. The book brings these British China officials out of the shadows of history to ascertain how they understood China; and how they tried to define Britain’s diplomatic efforts over the course of the twentieth century. Finally, it will draw lessons from these diplomatic histories and offer some policy recommendations for modern day Anglo-Chinese relations.



Table of Contents:

Introduction
1. The Forging of a China Mind
2. Approaching a Modern China
3. Managing a War-torn China
4. Reconciling a Divided China
5. Understanding an Unknown, Red China
6. Worrying about an Isolated China
7. Encouraging an Opening China
8. Maintaining an Open China after Mao
Conclusion
Notes
Bibliography



About the Author :
Oliver Yule-Smith is the Ernest May Fellow in History & Policy at Harvard University, USA. He was previously the Ax:Son Johnson Institute for Statecraft and Diplomacy Research Fellow at the Centre for Grand Strategy in the Department for War Studies at King’s College London, UK.

Review :
This perceptive survey of evolving British official attitudes towards 20th century China has a strong contemporary resonance at a time when an informed understanding of the People’s Republic of China as a major global power becomes increasingly important. Oliver Yule-Smith’s book breaks new ground in explaining how the culture and future trajectory of China was understood in the British Foreign Office, long before its rise crashed upon the strategic conscience of most western policymakers. This deeply researched book shows how China posed a civilisational dilemma - with much to admire in its scientific and political history, alongside a warning sign of weakness derived from a stunted version of modernisation. As a piece of scholarship, it fills a missing gap in how we understand the formation of the western strategic mind in the twentieth century. “Understanding British China policy has never been more important. Oliver Yule-Smith’s meticulous and deeply researched account of the ‘China Mind’ in the British Foreign Office provides vital analysis of the historical trajectory of a relationship that is still crucial today. This is powerful history with a real contemporary resonance.”


Best Sellers


Product Details
  • ISBN-13: 9781350556027
  • Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
  • Publisher Imprint: Bloomsbury Academic
  • Height: 234 mm
  • No of Pages: 256
  • Width: 156 mm
  • ISBN-10: 1350556025
  • Publisher Date: 08 Jan 2026
  • Binding: Hardback
  • Language: English
  • Sub Title: Understanding a Rising Superpower, 1922-1985


Similar Products

Add Photo
Add Photo

Customer Reviews

REVIEWS      0     
Click Here To Be The First to Review this Product
The Problem of China in the British Foreign Office Mind: Understanding a Rising Superpower, 1922-1985
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC -
The Problem of China in the British Foreign Office Mind: Understanding a Rising Superpower, 1922-1985
Writing guidlines
We want to publish your review, so please:
  • keep your review on the product. Review's that defame author's character will be rejected.
  • Keep your review focused on the product.
  • Avoid writing about customer service. contact us instead if you have issue requiring immediate attention.
  • Refrain from mentioning competitors or the specific price you paid for the product.
  • Do not include any personally identifiable information, such as full names.

The Problem of China in the British Foreign Office Mind: Understanding a Rising Superpower, 1922-1985

Required fields are marked with *

Review Title*
Review
    Add Photo Add up to 6 photos
    Would you recommend this product to a friend?
    Tag this Book Read more
    Does your review contain spoilers?
    What type of reader best describes you?
    I agree to the terms & conditions
    You may receive emails regarding this submission. Any emails will include the ability to opt-out of future communications.

    CUSTOMER RATINGS AND REVIEWS AND QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS TERMS OF USE

    These Terms of Use govern your conduct associated with the Customer Ratings and Reviews and/or Questions and Answers service offered by Bookswagon (the "CRR Service").


    By submitting any content to Bookswagon, you guarantee that:
    • You are the sole author and owner of the intellectual property rights in the content;
    • All "moral rights" that you may have in such content have been voluntarily waived by you;
    • All content that you post is accurate;
    • You are at least 13 years old;
    • Use of the content you supply does not violate these Terms of Use and will not cause injury to any person or entity.
    You further agree that you may not submit any content:
    • That is known by you to be false, inaccurate or misleading;
    • That infringes any third party's copyright, patent, trademark, trade secret or other proprietary rights or rights of publicity or privacy;
    • That violates any law, statute, ordinance or regulation (including, but not limited to, those governing, consumer protection, unfair competition, anti-discrimination or false advertising);
    • That is, or may reasonably be considered to be, defamatory, libelous, hateful, racially or religiously biased or offensive, unlawfully threatening or unlawfully harassing to any individual, partnership or corporation;
    • For which you were compensated or granted any consideration by any unapproved third party;
    • That includes any information that references other websites, addresses, email addresses, contact information or phone numbers;
    • That contains any computer viruses, worms or other potentially damaging computer programs or files.
    You agree to indemnify and hold Bookswagon (and its officers, directors, agents, subsidiaries, joint ventures, employees and third-party service providers, including but not limited to Bazaarvoice, Inc.), harmless from all claims, demands, and damages (actual and consequential) of every kind and nature, known and unknown including reasonable attorneys' fees, arising out of a breach of your representations and warranties set forth above, or your violation of any law or the rights of a third party.


    For any content that you submit, you grant Bookswagon a perpetual, irrevocable, royalty-free, transferable right and license to use, copy, modify, delete in its entirety, adapt, publish, translate, create derivative works from and/or sell, transfer, and/or distribute such content and/or incorporate such content into any form, medium or technology throughout the world without compensation to you. Additionally,  Bookswagon may transfer or share any personal information that you submit with its third-party service providers, including but not limited to Bazaarvoice, Inc. in accordance with  Privacy Policy


    All content that you submit may be used at Bookswagon's sole discretion. Bookswagon reserves the right to change, condense, withhold publication, remove or delete any content on Bookswagon's website that Bookswagon deems, in its sole discretion, to violate the content guidelines or any other provision of these Terms of Use.  Bookswagon does not guarantee that you will have any recourse through Bookswagon to edit or delete any content you have submitted. Ratings and written comments are generally posted within two to four business days. However, Bookswagon reserves the right to remove or to refuse to post any submission to the extent authorized by law. You acknowledge that you, not Bookswagon, are responsible for the contents of your submission. None of the content that you submit shall be subject to any obligation of confidence on the part of Bookswagon, its agents, subsidiaries, affiliates, partners or third party service providers (including but not limited to Bazaarvoice, Inc.)and their respective directors, officers and employees.

    Accept


    Inspired by your browsing history


    Your review has been submitted!

    You've already reviewed this product!