Imperialism in Nineteenth-Century China (II)

Abstract

We publish below PROF. TAN CHUNG'S second article in the series 'Imperialism in Nineteenth- Century China'. In hisfirst article (CHINA REPORT, vol. xvii, no. 2, March-April 1981), PROF. TAN elaborated Britain's employing opium as a well-calculated mode in her imperialist aggression on 19th-century China, reinforcing his well-known theory of 'opium imperialism'. In the present article, the author focuses attention on the unequal treaties or the 'Treaty System' and develops a new theory of 'Irresponsible Imperialism'. The articles are revised and reorganized versions of class lectures which PROF. TAN has delivered to the M.A. students in history over the years. In our future numbers, we shall publish his remaining articles in this series on Finance Imperial ism, Spheres of Influence and the 'Open Door' Policy, and Christian Missionary Activities in China. We welcome discussion on the issues raised by PROF. TAN.—EDITOR