Tianjin, sometimes spelled Tientsin, is like the New York of China. Imagine the busy streets of Manhattan, but in 1939 China!

• Importance: Major trading hub in China. Think of it as a big marketplace where everyone wants a piece.
• British Connection: Around 3,000 British folks called it home in a special zone called the British Concession. Imagine a British-only zone in the middle of China!

Imagine someone from one country, working in another country's bank, and getting murdered. Sounds like a plot of a crime movie, right?

• Victim: Chinese national working as a Japanese bank manager.
• Outcome: Murdered in April 1939.

Japan, acting like the school bully, wants suspects handed over from the British part of Tianjin.

• Wanted: Four Chinese suspects from the British Concession.
• British Dilemma
  • British Ambassador to Japan: "Let's give them what they want."
  • British Ambassador to China: "No way! We can't show weakness."

Imagine Japan putting up a "NO ENTRY" sign for the British in Tianjin and checking their pockets at every move.

• Blockade: Japanese response to British saying "no" was to block Tianjin.
• Embarrassing Searches: British folks were strip-searched coming in and out. Ouch!