What if the British colonised China?

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Britain was never in a position to colonise China. For all the superficial similarities to India- an Imperial dynasty on the wane, initial British coastal concessions, divided elites- China in the nineteenth century was far harder to make inroads into than India in the eighteenth.
For one thing, by the time that the Qing had actually begun to seriously rot, there were plenty of other Western powers with a vested interest in making sure that China didn't fall into any one power's lap- be it Russia, Britain, France, or Japan.
Besides which, what would Britain gain from direct rule over China that it couldn't get from its desired state of affairs- a modernising Qing empire dependent on finance and expertise from the City of London?
The British wanted their naval bases, yes- but having got them, they ended up alongside the US attempting to keep China from being carved up. They'd gain less from direct rule over even a large chunk of China than they would from informal empire over the whole.
 
For one thing, by the time that the Qing had actually begun to seriously rot, there were plenty of other Western powers with a vested interest in making sure that China didn't fall into any one power's lap- be it Russia, Britain, France, or Japan.
It's the Ottoman Empire paradox. As long as it's propped up, you can be sure that nobody will take too big a bite

One does not simply "colonize" China.[/QUOTE
The Portuguese actually had a decent plan to take big chunks out of it in the 1530's. It would have required rolling a lot of natural 20's but it wouldn't be the first time they beat the odds.
Also, there might have been a possibility for Vietnam to take a chunk during the Nguyen restoration of 1800's, if they had had bigger support from France
 

Great_Stag

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It's the Ottoman Empire paradox. As long as it's propped up, you can be sure that nobody will take too big a bite

And in doing so exists in a state of endless decline, prolonged by other powers for the sake of not letting it not fall to an enemy who thus does the same. This only prolongs the inevitable fall and make it bloodier and more savage as a result.

One does not simply "colonize" China.

Are you sure about that? I'm looking at Hong Kong and it looks a little bit more British than I think your willing to admit.
 
Maybe it'd be more plausible if the British had a foot in the door earlier than the other powers, like, for example, if they take the Philippines in the Seven Years' War.
 
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