Research Eline Ceulemans

Abstract

This project proposes a close and long overdue examination of the Belgian King Leopold II's network of formal and informal diplomatic intermediaries in late Qing China. Despite of major Belgian infrastructural investments in East Asia tied to the king's imperialistic ambitions, the presence of Belgian agents in China is rarely if ever mentioned in the existing literature. An analysis of these brokers' position and networks provides unique insight into various inter-imperial encounters that unfolded within this highly dynamic transnational community. As these Leopoldian agents pursued multiple agendas that were not always strictly tied to 'Leopoldian' or 'Belgian' interests, this project will bring nuance to the image of Leopold II as a prime mover within the colonial web. Combining socio-cultural techniques from New Diplomatic and New Imperial History, this research will deconstruct the linear and teleological narrative of the Big Game in China. Moving beyond the dichotomy of metropole-periphery that still constrains much of the current historiography, this actor-centered exploration will offer a more comprehensive understanding of 'Western' imperialist designs, opening windows onto the intermediary role of brokers from small state powers, inter-imperial collaboration and competition and the workings of behind-the-scenes diplomacy in semi-colonial spaces.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Van Ginderachter Maarten
• Fellow: Ceulemans Eline

Research team(s)

• Power in History - Centre for Political History

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

This project focuses on the understudied presence of Belgium in late Qing China, which was conspicuous in terms of infrastructural investments and closely tied to the imperialist ambitions of King Leopold II. It proposes a close and long overdue examination of Leopold's complicated web of actors in China during the monarch's reign (1865-1909). Although the King's various 'diplomatic' agents were in close contact with the Palace, their own agendas were not always tied to a strictly 'Leopoldian' or 'Belgian' set of interests, but sometimes also to those of other powers active in China. By combining socio-cultural microlevel analyses with an investigation of larger politico-economic processes, this project will reveal the thoughts, practices and networks of these border-crossing people, men and some women, from the often-neglected perspective of 'small powers' like Belgium. Belgian state and non-state agents are rarely if ever mentioned in major studies on late Qing China. Moving the attention beyond the dichotomy of metropole-periphery that still constrains much of the current literature, this actor-based socio-cultural history of Leopoldian/Belgian expansion in China will offer a more layered understanding of 'Western' imperialist designs, that opens windows onto small state powers in East Asia, inter-imperial collaboration and competition, and the still barely studied workings of behind-the-scenes (dynastic) diplomacy in semi-colonial spaces as China.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Van Ginderachter Maarten
• Fellow: Ceulemans Eline

Research team(s)

• Power in History - Centre for Political History

Project type(s)

• Research Project