The Chinese Maritime Customs Service, which was led by British staff, is often seen as one of the key agents of Western imperialism in China, the customs revenue being one of the major sources of Chinese government income but a source much of which was pledged to Western banks as the collateral for, and interests payments on, massive loans. This book, however, based on extensive original research, considers the lower level staff of the Chinese Maritime Customs Service, and shows how the Chinese government, struggling to master Western expertise in many areas, pursued a deliberate policy of encouraging lower level staff to learn from their Western superiors with a view to eventually supplanting them, a policy which was successfully carried out. The book thereby demonstrates that Chinese engagement with Western imperialists was in fact an essential part of Chinese national state-building, and that what looked like a key branch of Chinese government delegated to foreigners was in fact very much under Chinese government control.
| ISBN: | 9781138815810 |
| Publication date: | 27th April 2015 |
| Author: | Chihyun Shanghai Jiao Tong University Chang |
| Publisher: | Routledge an imprint of Taylor & Francis Ltd |
| Format: | Paperback |
| Pagination: | 240 pages |
| Series: | Routledge Studies in the Modern History of Asia |
| Genres: |
Colonialism and imperialism Asian history Public administration Public finance and taxation |
The Chinese Maritime Customs Service, which was led by British staff, is often seen as one of the key agents of Western imperialism in China, the customs revenue being one of the major sources of Chinese government income but a source much of which was pledged to Western banks as the collateral for, and interests payments on, massive loans. This book, however, based on extensive original research, considers the lower level staff of the Chinese Maritime Customs Service, and shows how the Chinese government, struggling to master Western expertise in many areas, pursued a deliberate policy of encouraging lower level staff to learn from their Western superiors with a view to eventually supplanting them, a policy which was successfully carried out. The book thereby demonstrates that Chinese engagement with Western imperialists was in fact an essential part of Chinese national state-building, and that what looked like a key branch of Chinese government delegated to foreigners was in fact very much under Chinese government control.
Government, Imperialism and Nationalism in China features in the following genres: Colonialism and imperialism, Asian history, Public administration, Public finance and taxation
Government, Imperialism and Nationalism in China is available in Paperback
Government, Imperialism and Nationalism in China was written by Chihyun Shanghai Jiao Tong University Chang and published by Routledge an imprint of Taylor & Francis Ltd
Government, Imperialism and Nationalism in China has 240 pages
Yes it is part of Routledge Studies in the Modern History of Asia series
£49.49