Discussing the British Imperial Presence in China

A link here to a discussion about Britain’s history in China that was aired on BBC Radio 3’s Night Waves arts programme. Rana Mitter and Robert Bickers chat about the latter’s new book The Scramble for China. Some interesting points made though, I’d argue, a rather inflated belief in how knowledgeable or nuanced those who’ve been through the post-1989 Chinese education system are on the period. The other speakers are less interesting with the diplomat displaying all the commitment and spine on any issue China-related we’ve long come to expect of the modern FCO sadly (where on earth do they recruit all these completely characterless characters?). Still, good to see this history being talked about and sad that it really has no place on the modern history curriculum in UK schools. The BBC’s blurb below:

The British had a considerable imperial presence in China but we have largely forgotten about it. The Chinese, on the other hand, remember very clearly what they see as various humiliations at the hands of the imperious Brits. Rana Mitter is joined by historian Robert Bickers, film-maker Sun Shuyun and ex-diplomat Rod Wye to examine how these mismatched histories affect Anglo-Chinese relations even today.