Anglo-German Relations and the Sino-Japanese War of 1894/95: Colonial Collaboration, Economic Interdependency and Diplomatic Antagonism

Abstract Although Anglo-German relations before the First World War are one of the better-studied fields in the history of international relations, diplomatic relations between London and Berlin with respect to East Asia remain underexplored. The interactions between these two powers in East Asia during the Sino-Japanese War are particularly significant, as they were of pivotal importance for larger international developments for both nations at the end of the nineteenth century. While the German Empire commenced on Weltpolitik in East Asia, cooperation with Germany in this region served as a testing ground for possible British rapprochement with the Triple Alliance. This article examines the dynamics of European great-power relations and their reliance on cooperative mechanisms to safeguard their interests in East Asia without resorting to military coercion. Furthermore, it underscores the flexibility of the international system in East Asia, which was characterized by changing coalitions among the European powers, as is evident from the frequently altered positions adopted in London and Berlin. While Berlin initially supported London’s intervention proposals, Germany also joined a coalition with Britain’s rivals France and Russia in the context of the Triple Intervention but ended up competing with these former partners, together with Great Britain, for influence in Beijing. Anglo-German relations in the context of the Sino-Japanese War of 1894/95 were thus characterized by phases of cooperation, rivalry and interdependence.