The China Journals

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These private journals, published for the first time, document Hugh Trevor-Roper's visit to the People's Republic of China in autumn 1965, just before the Cultural Revolution. His journey was filled with frustrations, vividly recounted with the irony of a master storyteller who appreciated the human comedy. Despite his long-standing interest in China's history and politics, Trevor-Roper faced obstacles at every turn, hindered by state propaganda and the oppressive presence of Party guides. The trip was organized by the Society for Anglo-Chinese Understanding, which claimed to promote cultural exchange but was actually controlled by a Communist faction that outmaneuvered its well-connected members. Upon returning to England, Trevor-Roper, with MI5's assistance, sought to uncover the society's true nature. His investigations sparked a significant public controversy, which he engagingly details. The narrative also includes his subsequent visit to Taiwan and Southeast Asia in 1967, reflecting his historical insight into contemporary events and his enduring commitment to defending liberal values against ideological threats.