Powerless and Frustrated: Britain's Relationship With China During the Opening Years of the Second Sino-Japanese War, 1937-1939

• Published in: Diplomacy and statecraft Vol. 22; no. 3; pp. 408 - 430
• Main Author: Perry, J. K. J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Taylor & Francis Group 01-09-2011; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Aggression; China; Colonial history; Conflict; Diplomacy; East Asia; Europe; Foreign Policy; Foreign relations; Great Britain; Interwar Period; Japan; Narratives; Political history; Political power; United Kingdom; War; World War Two; United Kingdom > UK; China
• ISSN: 0959-2296; 1557-301X
• DOI: 10.1080/09592296.2011.599641

Foreign policy is multi-faceted. It was not only diplomatic, political, socio-cultural, economic, Imperial, and strategic factors that structured-and limited-Britain's foreign policy during the interwar period; so, too, did those of other countries. Given the number and variety of Britain's-and the interconnected other Powers'-interests in China, Britain's relationship with China during the opening years of the Second Sino-Japanese War provides a useful insight which has wider implications on Britain's road to war narrative. Given the topic's neglect, one can be forgiven for inferring that events in Europe entirely eclipsed those of East Asia. This article demonstrates the contrary. As awareness of Chinese suffering spread and as Japanese aggrandisement threatened British interests, sinophilism became vogue once again. However, the often insurmountable obstacles that the interwar period presented to Britain and others-particularly the United States-limited Britain's ability to aid China. It was not for want of fortitude.