Recasting the Imperial Far East: Britain and America in China, 1945-1950

by Lanxin Xiang

Attempts to shed new light on the Anglo-American rivalry in China in the period between the defeat of Japan and the triumph of the Chinese Communists. This study contends that the USSR was not a major factor in the dispute.

352 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1995

Reviews

[Grant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Xiang offers a thorough analysis of Anglo-American relations during the collapse of the Nationalist regime and the triumph of the Chinese Communists. During much of this period, US leaders believed Nationalist China was or at least could become a great power, while the British doubted the viability of the Nationalists. Americans suspected the British of valuing economic interests over containment of communism, while many Britons believed the US sought to replace British commercial interests in Asia. Overall, the two sides failed to develop a common policy, culminating in disagreement about the role of Communist China in the Korean War. Ultimately, the British concluded that they had to follow along with a misguided US policy, in hopes of influencing the Americans into wiser behavior in the future. Perhaps a narrow topic, but well worth the reading.