The West and China Since 1500

By John S. Gregory

Book Overview

The West and China Since 1500 surveys Western relations with and attitudes towards China since sustained contact and desirable trading began with the great alternative culture in the sixteenth century. The experiences of traders, diplomats and missionaries are surveyed and illustrated by frequent quotations from contemporary sources. In addition the book explores the flow of cultural influences in both directions, and changes in Western opinion about China from admired model, to disdained 'land of the eternal standstill', to feared resurgent power. Finally, the author examines current issues in dispute such as Taiwan and human rights.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1403902801
• ISBN13: 9781403902801
• Release Date: December 2002
• Publisher: Palgrave MacMillan
• Length: 233 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.5" x 8.7"

Customer Reviews

Five Centuries of China and West

This is a scholar book by a professor. It shows how China influenced the world and Europe in Zhang He's seven voyages in the Ming Dynasty with goodwill and friendship, no colonialism and slavery!!. China got the best - rice, tea, porcelain and silk. When England offered nothing Chinese wanted, they pushed OPIUM with Americans and even waged two wars!!! Mr Trump also wage trade war for unable to balance trade!! The West still push religions to westernize but China progress in its own journey with Dr Sun Yat-sen's three Principles of People, not the American or Soviet dogma!! This book touched upon Taiwan issue, did American sign the Joint Communiques with mental reservations? Why entangles herself in China's civil war after WW II up to now? This book is an introduction to this relationship to explore more. If China was aggressive with Admiral He, now everyone would be speaking Mandarin!! Understanding the past helps to project the future.