Danes In Tianjin, China, 1860-1912

Beskrivelse

This book explores the presence and influence of Danes in Tianjin, China, from 1860 to 1912. It highlights their roles within the foreign community and their interactions with the local population during a period of significant foreign concessions in the city.

An insightful look into the contributions of Danish individuals in Tianjin’s foreign settlements and public utilities.

Tianjin, along with the port of Dagu, served as a crucial gateway from the sea to the region surrounding Beijing. From 1860 onwards, Western foreigners began settling in Tianjin, and by 1901 the city hosted eight foreign concessions. Although none of these concessions were Danish, Danes and some Danish families played key roles in shaping the foreign community and fostering relations with local residents.

The Danish presence was especially notable in sectors like telegraphy and public utilities, including gas, water, and electricity, as well as in river conservancy efforts. Some Danes worked directly for the Chinese government, contributing to customs and naval operations, while others were engaged in trade and various service industries.

Like many foreigners at the time, Danes benefited from extraterritorial rights under consular jurisdiction. Often, the Russian consul represented Danish interests. However, there were instances where Danes contested both the consular services and the concept of extraterritoriality itself, as demonstrated by several notable cases.

Leif Littrup, born in 1944, earned his PhD from the Australian National University in 1978. He went on to teach Chinese and history at the University of Copenhagen before retiring. His publications focus on Chinese history from around 1500 onward, covering topics such as local government structures, the study of world history in modern China, and China’s interactions with the wider world.

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