China’s Century of Humiliation and the Politics of Sovereign Apologies

The government of the People’s Republic of China has become known for guarding its international image jealously and often reacts against real or perceived slights against China with demands for an apology. Building on insights from the works of Robert Bickers, this article argues that the official Chinese insistence on the “politics of apology” can be traced back to late imperial China’s socialization into the world community under the treaty port system, when foreign powers often demanded that the Qing government perform various acts of repentance for missteps in its foreign relations.