Details

Subject(s)

• History, Modern—China—19th century [Browse]
• International relations—History—19th century [Browse]
• China—Foreign relations—Great Britain [Browse]
• Great Britain—Foreign relations—19th century [Browse]
• Great Britain—Foreign relations—China [Browse]
• China Hai guan zong shui wu si shu [Browse]

Series

• Routledge studies in the modern history of Asia ; 36. [More in this series]
• Routledge studies in the modern history of Asia ; 36 [More in this series]

Restrictions note

Open access

Summary note

This is an in-depth account of the Chinese Imperial Maritime Customs Service, a uniquely cosmopolitan institution established in the wake of China's defeat in the Opium Wars (1842 to 43), and a central feature of the Treaty Port system. The British-dominated service was headed by the famous Robert Hart who founded a far-reaching customs administration that also encompassed other responsibilities such as marine and harbour maintenance, quarantine, anti-piracy patrols and postal services. This institution sat at a crucial juncture between Chinese and foreign interests, and was intimately linked to British interests and fortunes in the Far East. Following the establishment of the Republic in 1911 there were grave misgivings as to whether the foreign element of the Service would survive. Yet the Service grew in influence and strength, ensuring the foreign inspectorate a continued role in China's affairs. Delivering an overview of the Service, its bureaucracy, fiscal responsibilities and life for foreigners in its employ, focusing especially on the later years of the Service, Donna Brunero draws on the experiences of the foreign administration of the Service as it attempted to negotiate between Chinese and foreign expectations and interests.

Notes

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Bibliographic references

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Source of description

Description based on print version record.

Language note

English

Contents

• chapter 1 Introduction
• chapter 2 An institutional review
• chapter 3 Gunboats and revenue, 1923-7
• chapter 4 Nationalist ascendancy and the politics of being Inspector General
• chapter 5 Charting a new course
• chapter 6 A Service in decline
• chapter 7 Steadfast and fearlessly persistent: the CMCS in the face of war, 1937-45.

Show 4 more Contents items

ISBN

• 1-134-34093-1
• 1-134-34094-X
• 9786610377312
• 1-280-37731-3
• 0-203-31512-X
• 0-415-32619-2

OCLC

• 900285127
• 1378935508

Doi

• 10.4324/9780203315125

Statement on language in description

Princeton University Library aims to describe library materials in a manner that is respectful to the individuals and communities who create, use, and are represented in the collections we manage. Read more...