British Struggle for Railway Concessions in China in 1897–1898
Abstract
As to the railway construction in China, Great Britain played a leading role since the very beginning (Shanghai – Woosung Railway, built 1876). The Far Eastern crises of 1897–1898 stimulated the struggle for railway concessions and spheres of influence in China. For a long time, the British government’s attitude of refusing to provide direct financial support was a difficult hurdle for British private firms. Despite various obstacles and partial setbacks, the British managed to settle their disputes with Germany (1898), Russia (1899) and France (1905), and the British ‘railway policy’ achieved its aims.
Fields of Study & Subjects
History and International Relations
Chinese history and philosophy
Colonial History and Postcolonial Studies
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Diplomacy and Statecraft
- Volume
- 37
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 56–77
- Publication date
- 2 January 2026
- Language
- EN