This book tells the story of two states departing from opposite stations, slowly but steadily approaching each other, meeting in the middle, and then continuing their journey in opposite directions. At the start of this journey, the Netherlands still perceived itself as a colonial imperialist power, while China was a semi-colonial state. The former is now one of Europe's smaller nations, whilst China has transformed into an Asian giant and an emerging global superpower.

The book focuses on their relationship from 1927 to 1950, when the Netherlands formally recognized the communist People's Republic of China (PRC). This period is divided into three parts, namely, the pre-war (1927–1936), the war (1937–1945), and the post-war years (1945–1950). These parts are respectively designated as periods of “readjustment”, “realignment”, and “reset”. Each period is situated first within (global) history, with China's war with Japan and the decolonization of Indonesia as the two most important underlying global events. Then follows a discussion about Chinese-Dutch diplomatic relations. The third part focuses on particular people or events to illustrate the depths and characteristics of the diplomatic, cultural, economic, and political ties between the two states. A helpful appendix to the book provides a chronology of the major events. Of note are the shared importance of water management and the frequent exchanges of expertise and experience on this issue between the two states.

As international lawyers, we usually assume that the facts will be just as crystal clear as black letter law. This book is solid proof of, if not of our ignorance, then at least our innocence towards the abrogation of Dutch extraterritorial rights in China, the recognition of the PRC, the conclusion of a new bilateral treaty, etc. For all these events, the author links the relevant law, the factual context, and the behaviour and motivations of the people concerned in this meticulous study. What we cannot learn from the traditional international law textbook are the psychological elements behind state behaviour, and the hard facts of policy, law, and decision-making. All the personal, collective, and national traumas, as well as the cultural differences and misunderstandings, play a part in this story. Sometimes law is just a technical matter that enters the stage last.

Because of his unique personal and family history, the author enjoys the privilege of embodying both the Dutch and Chinese perspective in one and the same person. Thus, the book is not only the proud result of many years spent in public archives and libraries of various states (Netherlands, PRC, United States), regions (Taiwan), and institutions (the League of Nations library in Geneva), but also a highly personal account of the author familiarizing himself with his family history and, thus, ultimately, with himself as he browsed through a wealth of family photos, unpublished memoirs and diaries, and personal correspondence. This was complemented by an impressive number of interviews, which produced a rich oral history.

We cannot leave unmentioned the many photographs reproduced in the book. These photos often speak louder and clearer than a thousand words. We see diplomats drinking tea, having lunch, signing treaties – the Chinese using a traditional brush and the Netherlands’ ambassador, wearing a monocle and pocket watch, signing a document with a fountain pen, with a bottle of ink nearby.

At the very end of the book, the author makes a comparison between the Netherlands in the 1930s, and the current situation in Europe and beyond, and suggests lessons could be learnt from history as the world is undergoing dramatic changes again. Whether we can seize the chance to move one step closer towards equality and reciprocity remains to be seen.