The Gate to China by Michael Sheridan and From Rebel to Ruler by Tony Saich are two newly published 2021 books on China.
Both authors began their history with a recap of the Ching dynasty. As their specialty area is modern China, it is clear they have not set out the latest scholarship on the Lord McCartney mission to Emperor Chien Lung.
Both merely repeat the narrative given by Lord McCartney in his book written, after his failure, by a disillusioned man.
More nuanced perspectives can be found in the excellent book by Stephen Platt titled Imperial Twilight and a recent 2021 book The Last Embassy by Toni Andrade.