Denmark was the first western country to recognize and establish diplomatic relations with the newly-proclaimed People's Republic of China. This publication surveys more than 300 years of Denmark's contacts with China and, in particular, the 150 years of Danish consular and diplomatic representation in China.

Denmark was the first western country to recognize and establish diplomatic relations with the newly-proclaimed People's Republic of China. The publication of this study falls on the fiftieth anniversary in May 2000 of this event, but the book itself surveys more than 300 years of Denmark's contacts with China and, in particular, the 150 years of Danish consular and diplomatic representation in China. It is a fascinating story that Christopher Bo Bramsen has unearthed from Chinese and Danish sources (much of it information now made
available to the public in a chronological historic context).

Although today Denmark's representation in China is focused on the Royal Danish Embassy in Beijing and the Royal Danish Consulates General in Shanghai, Guangzhou (Canton) and Hong Kong, in the prewar period this was much more widespread; British and Russian consuls and later a number of Danish entrepreneurs were appointed as consuls in some 20 different cities, reflecting the Danes' extensive commercial interests in China at that time.

Many China scholars - not least historians of the Western interaction with China - will find the study of considerable interest. But also for the general reader this book has much to offer in terms of human interest.

Produced in full colour, illustrated with photographs from the periods described and with facing text in English and Chinese, the book is also a visual treat.