The Departure

Abstract

In the previous chapters we have examined the political and economic environment in which private British businesses were compelled to operate. This chapter will examine the process of British commercial withdrawal from China as a direct consequence of pressures from all directions and loss of confidence. The Chinese government seemed to have finally made up its mind by mid-1952. Without a push from the political front, a clear-cut solution to the closures would not have been possible. While it is evident that British firms began to close down and leave China from the very early days of the People’s Republic, if not earlier, this chapter will focus on those who shared similar problems but whose decisions to leave were compelled in the end by the deterioration of Sino-British relations after the outbreak of the Korean conflict.

All the good things of this world are no further good than as they are of use.

Daniel Defoe

The next dreadful thing to a battle lost is a battle won.

Duke of Wellington