This book is based on the author's experience as a British diplomat and scholar working in East Asia for much of the period since 1980. It seeks to challenge widely held views in Britain about the nature of our relations with countries in East Asia, especially in respect of trade. It does so by looking at case studies, or specific incidents in diplomatic relations, not academic theory, using examples that have hitherto received little or no attention. While it is aimed at general readers who may have an interest in the broad subject, it should also be of great value to academics and scholars.