The Western perception of China changed drastically in the 19th century. They began to see its weaknesses and the less edifying aspects of its civilisation,after they had entrenched themselves there through military coercion.

• 到了十九世纪，西方人对中国的看法有很大的改变，他们开始看到中国的弱点，以及中国文明的其他较缺少启发性的一面，那是八国联军时期。