China. Lord George Macartney’s Chinese mission on behalf of the British Crown. It will be a complete failure. China considers itself the center of the world and refuses to establish equal relations with the English. The Emperor views the English gifts as tributes from a Chinese subject state. The arquebuses are considered nothing new, while the lenses, the chariot, and the hot air balloon are completely ignored with polite condescension. The English are treated as a barbaric, uncultured, and arrogant tribe, yet craving special benevolence from the Emperor. Furthermore, Macartney is asked to perform the “kowtow,” which means kneeling three times and lowering his head until it touches the ground before the Emperor. Maccartney refuses and demands that a high-ranking Chinese official do the same before a portrait of King George III. In the end, Maccartney simply bends his knee three times.
