1、This study chronicles a critically important yet greatly understudied periodin the history of modern Netherlands-Chinese relations。from the founding of theChinese National government at Nanjingin1927 through World War II

2、 up until the proclamation of the People’s Republic and the latter’s recognition by the Netherlands in 1950.Against the backdropof World War II and the underlying global clash between imperialism and nationalism,this stu

3、dy describes the historic transformation by which the erstwhile semi-colonial system in China made way formoderndiplomatic relations between theNetherlands and China based on equalityand reciprocity.
　　Drawing from a

4、wide range of hitherto unexplored archival records,includingboth public archives and private files from former Dutch and Chinese diplomats,this study seeks to understand how the seminal events of this exceptional periodr

5、eshaped the very foundations of bilateralties between the Netherlands and China.The author argues that China’s emergence on the global scene as a rising power and the simultaneous decline of the Netherlands as a colonial

6、 empire first caused a fundamental reset,then an upgrade,and ultimately a historic readjustment of mutual relations,laying a solid and lasting foundation for modern-day bilateral ties.
　　In three roughly chronological

7、 parts,each combining an outline review with an in-depth thematic analysis,this workoffers a general overview of the diplomatic,military,economic,scientific and cultural relations between the NetherlandsandChina during t

8、he mid 20th century,and the fascinating。hitherto untold people-to-people contacts during the formative years of the People’s Republic. The study’s narrative is enhanced by a series of hitherto unpublished historical phot

9、ographs which vividly capture this exceptional episode.
　　By dusting off this virtually forgotten yet pivotal chapter of shared Netherlands-Chinese history。characterized by continuity as much as by profound change,thi