The Kaiping Enterprise was the first successful, large scale effort to introduce Western technology and methods into Chinese industrial production. This serves as a case study on Chinese attitudes towards Western industrialzation from the mid-19th century to the beginning of the 20th century. Ellsworth Carlson also investigates how the Chinese political, social, and economic environment necessitate modification or abandonment of Western influences.

An outline of all the contracted obligations of former recognized Chinese governments and China's potential financial capacity.