A New Pattern of Trade

Abstract

As old firms beat their retreat from China, new British business interests were stepping in. The traditional mode of trade had had to go, but it did not mean the end of Sino-British economic relations. On the contrary, it ushered in a new pattern of trade, built on a respect for China’s independence and a sense of mutual advantage. Chinese state trading dominated the scene, while the ‘old China hands’ competed with a group of newcomers on the British side. But the Chinese also learned from experience that in forging new links with their British partners, they could not very well ignore the position and attitude of the British government.

Sino-British relations should be kept running like a narrow winter stream, cold at the official level and uninterrupted in people-to-people contact.

Mao Zedong

Controversy should always be so managed as to remember that the only true end of it is peace.

Alexander Pope