127 European maps of China made during the Ming and Qing dynasties feature in a book which shows how the Middle Kingdom was seen in the West, and by itself; Reading Time: 12 minutes.

China’s Qing dynasty began in a blaze of glory. Founded by the Manchus in 1636, at its peak it ruled over one-third of humanity. Two centuries later, the dynasty was beset by civil unrest ...

The Qing at first showed little interest in the island, but recognised it in 1885 as Taiwan province (a name that came not from China, but from one of the aboriginal tribes).