Great Britain, Russia and the German Occupation of Jiaozhou, 1897-1898

Abstract

China became financially dependent on the European powers after its defeat in the war with Japan (1894-1895). These were mainly Russia, Great Britain, France, and Germany, which began to seek economic concessions and define their spheres of influence in China. Russia took the first steps in this direction. The event that accelerated the process was the German occupation of the area around Jiaozhou Bay in Shandong Province in November 1897. Russia placed increased pressure on China. The entire region north of the Great Wall was recognized as its sphere of influence. Russia also leased the ports of Port Arthur and Dalian. Until then, Britain had been opposed to defining spheres of influence, as the British assumed that their economic power would give them dominance in China. However, under the pressure of new circumstances, London changed its mind and joined the struggle for concessions and the establishing spheres of influence. Britain leased the port of Weihaiwei, and the rich Yangtze valley was recognized as its sphere of influence. Around the same time, French interest in southern China prevailed, resulting in the lease of Guangzhouwan. Although it seemed to contemporaries that this development could eventually lead to the division of China among the great powers, their rivalry was one of the main reasons why it did not happen.