30 Sino-European Relations: Canton System

This lecture explores early contacts through trade routes like the Silk Road. It delves into the influence of Islamic expansion and conflicts on European exploration. Marco Polo's journey and Jesuit missions catalyzed formal exchanges. The establishment of the Canton System in the 18th century regulated foreign trade. British missions, such as the Macartney mission, aimed to expand trade but faced challenges. The rise of the opium trade in the 19th century brought significant economic and social consequences.