British Perception II

Abstract

Unlike the members of the China Association and the Old China Hands who had direct trade relations with China, some Foreign Office officials who helped shape Britain’s Far Eastern policies were sceptical about the prospects of re-established Sino—British commercial ties. In particular they did not regard resumption of British exports to China as likely. Notwithstanding this feeling, however, what was seen as China’s great industrial future and her prospective need for Britain’s goods and technical assistance continued to maintain a general magic attraction on the British side. This emerged both in the report of the Parliamentary mission of 1942 to China and in notes written at the Foreign Office based thereupon.