2.3 Early Sino-British relations

The Industrial Revolution in Britain in the late 18th century greatly increased industrial production and created an urgent need for overseas markets for British goods.

China, with her large population, was seen as a prime target. But China, with her self-sufficient economy and traditional ethnocentric attitudes, quite naturally imposed many restrictions on foreign merchants, while Britain tried to sell unsuitable products to China.

Britain sent emissaries to China in 1793 and 1816 in the hope of improving trade relations, but both failed.

A third attempt was made in 1834 following the abolition of the British East India Company's monopoly on China trade.

Lord Napier was appointed British Superintendent of Trade in China in 1834 to negociate more favourable trade arrangements. His mission to Guangzhou failed and he died in Macau. Sino-British relations deteriorating still further.

Credit : History Museum of HK.