The China Medal (China-Denkmünze, sometimes abbreviated CDM) was awarded to Imperial German forces for the China War in 1900-1901 (often called the Boxer Rebellion).  A combat clasp could not be awarded with the non-combatant steel version of the CDM.  All clasps (official and unofficial, a few are even privately engraved) are difficult to find on the market with or without the CDM.  The official clasps closely resemble the various styles used on the 1870-1871 Franco-Prussian War Medal (you may want to look at my guide http://reviews.ebay.com/1870-1871-Franco-Prussian-War-Medal-clasps_W0QQugidZ10000000002349162 for a more detailed look at the styles).   Another interesting note is that a non-combatant who was otherwise eligible for one of the clasp, did not receive the clasp but rather the CDM Medal in steel without clasp.  This appears to have happened in the case of some medical and supply personnel, so without documentation, it is impossible to determine why the medal was awarded.  The history of this war is well-documented and it's strongly recommended that a very good knowledge is obtained prior to purchasing a medal with one of these clasps. 

The bronze clasps have notes which are of interest to the collector.  It should be noted that the prices can vary substantially from dealer to dealer - especially if accompanied with other medals &/or documentation.  Verified medals with 4 official clasps are very rare.  Please see my guide on Imperial German China Medal Unofficial Clasps http://reviews.ebay.com/Imperial-German-China-Medal-Unofficial-Clasps_W0QQugidZ10000000003212535  which contains supplemental information.  Another guide which may be of interest is:  http://reviews.ebay.com/Imperial-German-Medal-Guides-Index_W0QQugidZ10000000002386112. 

FOUPHING  Rarely found on the market since most examples are accompanied by other clasps.

• (1993, €115)
• (Nov. 2005, €250)
• (Jan. 2006, €275)

HOPHU  Sometimes found on the dealer market as a single clasp but more often found with a CDM accompanied by other clasps. Very common on multiple clasp medals and quite unusual as a verified single clasp medal.

• (1993, €121)
• (2005, €250)
• CDM with HOPHU (2005, €100+)
• (Jan. 2006, €260)
• (Jan. 2006, $25 - copy)
• CDM with HOPHU, PEKING (Sep. 2006, $225)
• (Feb. 2006, €325)

HUOLU  Awarded for actions in and near Huolu in northern China.  Often found with TSEKINGKWAN &/or KALGAN.  Unknown to a verified recipient with TAKU &/or PEKING.  Sometimes found on the dealer market while most major dealers can obtain one for an interested buyer. 

• CDM with HUOLU (1990, DM 150)
• (1993, €72)
• CDM with HUOLU & KALGAN (1996, €225)
• (2001, €100)
• (Jan. 2005, €125)
• (Nov. 2005, €225)
• (Feb. 2006, €200)

KALGAN  Awarded for the evacuation and actions in and near Kalgan in northern China.  Often found with TSEKINGKWAN &/or HOULU.  Unknown to a verified recipient with TAKU &/or PEKING.  Due to the amount of heavy fighting involved in earning this clasp, it is currently quite under-rated.  Uncommon on the dealer market, most often found at major specialist  auctions.  An excellent cast copy of this clasp is on the market and can be easily altered to appear to be contemporary but there are enough differences to make it identifible.

• (1993, €141)
• CDM with HUOLU & KALGAN (1996, €225)
• (Jan. 2005, €250)
• CDM with TSEKINGKWAN and KALGAN and TSCHÖNGLING (Feb. 2005, €160+)

KAUMI  Very rare on the dealer market, most often found at major specialist auctions.

• (1993, €154) 

KITCHOU  Rare on the dealer market, most often found at major specialist auctions.

• (1993, €115)

LIANG-HSIANG-HSIEN  Uncommon on the dealer market.

• (1993, €87)
• CDM with LIANG-HSIANG-HSIEN and NAN-HUNG-MEN (2005, >€130 - dealer guarantee with certification optional)
• (Nov. 2005, €150) 

PEITANG-FORTS  Not often encountered on the dealer market.

• (1993, €123)
• (Oct. 2005, €125)
• CDM with PEITANG-FORTS (Feb. 2006, €125)
• (Feb. 2008, €150)

PEITANG FORTS  Spelling variant.  Reputedly in existence but an example has not been located.

PEKING  Very rare (only 251 entitlements), due to the popularity of the Defence of the Legations action with collectors.  51 German military personnel participated in the Defence of Legations while 200 more were part of the Relief of Peking Expedition.  Biographies of German recipients are available.  Verified late claimants are very rare but this should be considered since these are not included in the 251 figure.  Extreme care should be taken because some groups are made to coincide with verified recipients and then the unique group (as worn, so it must be from this recipient!) is offered at a fairly hefty discounted price - the PEKING clasp is almost always a copy or forgery and often has some damage &/or discoloration.  Unknown to a verified recipient with KALGAN, TSEKINGKWAN,  &/or TSCHÖNGLING.  Originals are normally found only at major international specialty auctions which provides a guarantee.  Beware of good quality copies and forgeries since these greatly outnumber the originals by multitudes.  

• (1982, $150)
• (1984, $250 - dealer guarantee) CDM with HOPHU, PEKING & Kriegerverdienstmedaillen 2nd Class & Centenary Medal 
• (1991, DM350 - dealer guarantee)
• (1993, €192) 
• (2001, €750 - dealer unconditional guarantee) CDM with PEKING & Centenary Medal & Relief force original documentation
• (Sep. 2005, €200 - good quality copy)
• (Nov. 2005, €500 - possible copy)
• (Nov. 2005 €300 - no dealer guarantee)
• (Nov. 2005, €100+) CDM with PEKING
• (Feb. 2006, $225)
• (Sep. 2006, €600 - probable copy, no dealer guarantee) CDM with HOPHU, PEKING
• (Jan. 2007, €1250 - dealer guarantee) CDM with PEKING and original documentation
• (Feb. 2008, €450) mounted CDM with PEKING & Centenary Medal

SEYMOUR-EXPEDITION   Rare (only 512 entitlements) and highly sought after.  This international expedition travelled from Tientsin via Taku Forts to Peking.  1 officer and 15 men killed in action with 6 officers and 56 men wounded in action.  Biographies of most recipients are available.  Some recipients were also entitled to  TAKU, TIENTSIN, &/or PEKING.  Originals are normally found only at major international specialty auctions which provides a guarantee.  Copies are very scarce but the forgery does appear every once in a while.

• (1993, €141)
• (Feb. 2005, €500+ - dealer guarantee)

TAKU  Awarded for the action at Taku Forts.  Major dealers often have an example in stock or can get one on short notice.  Some recipients were also entitled to TIENTSIN, SEYMOUR EXPEDITION, &/or PEKING while most recipients had only this 1 clasp entitlement.  A CDM with TAKU & PEKING only are not known to a verified recipient.  Unknown to a verified recipient with TSEKINGKWAN, KALGAN, &/or TSCHÖNGLING.  Copies are common.

• (1993, €103)
• (Jan. 2005, €225)
• (Jan 2008, €250) CDM with Taku & Centenary Medal

TIENTSIN  Sometimes found on the dealer market.  Some recipients were also entitled to the SEYMOUR EXPEDITION, TAKU, &/or PEKING.  Copies are common.

• (1993, €108)
• CDM with TIENTSIN (2005, €250 - dealer guarantee)
• (2006, €15.50 - suspected copy) 

TSEKINGKWAN   Awarded for actions in and near Tsekingkwan in northern China.  Often found with KALGAN &/or HOULU.  Unknown to a verified recipient with TAKU &/or PEKING.  Sometimes found on the dealer &/or auction market. 

• Wide lettering (1993, €123)
• Narrow lettering (1993, €123)
• CDM with TSEKINGKWAN and KALGAN and TSCHÖNGLING (Nov. 2005, €160+)
• Narrow lettering (Feb. 2006, €330)

Copies and forgeries abound.  Most copies (typically cast) are made for collectors or re-enactors who require an example.  Please review my copy medal guide http://reviews.ebay.com/Worldwide-Military-Medals-Copy-Medal_W0QQugidZ10000000001875117 and forgery medal guide http://reviews.ebay.com/Worldwide-Military-Medals-Forgery-Medals_W0QQugidZ10000000001875079 for a more detailed explanation.  Jeweler's copies are known and are often accepted if they are verified contemporary - but many sellers do not make the distinction clear.  Again, the best advice is:  Buy only from a reputable dealer who specializes in Imperial German medals.  Please visit my blog (http://blogs.ebay.com/tsa-li) and/or guides for further information.  Thank you for your visit!