The British Empire in East Asia in 1914

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In 1914 Britain’s colonies and interests in East and South-East Asia constituted a vital part of its global portfolio. From the beginning of the nineteenth century its commercial and financial interests had spread throughout the region. In China its substantial economic stake meant that Britain was the dominant foreign presence, with the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank as the most important foreign financial institution and with major investments in railway construction and shipping. Moreover, Britain’s presence was territorial as well as commercial; it possessed the colony of Hong Kong and, although its nationals shared the International Settlement at Shanghai with those from other countries, they held virtually complete sway over the Shanghai Municipal Council. In South-East Asia Britain’s interests were concentrated in the Malayan peninsula. Here it directly governed the Straits Settlements, consisting of Singapore, Malacca and Penang, and indirectly ruled over the Federated Malay States (FMS) of Pahang, Perak, Selangor and Negri Sembilan, and the Unfederated Malay States of Johore, Perlis, Kedah, Kelantan, and Trengganu. In addition, it had de facto control over northern Borneo consisting of Sarawak, Brunei and the territory controlled by the North Borneo Chartered Company.