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How did Macao become a winter residence under the Canton system? |
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See answer below. |
To contain the Taiwan-based (台灣) Zheng clan (鄭氏) regime which hoped to restore the Ming dynasty (明朝), the Qing court issued the Great Frontier Shift in 1661. The Chinese who lived outside Macao were ordered to move inland, and Portuguese in town were ordered to move inland or leave China. The Great Frontier Shift was not implemented in Macao, but Shang Kexi and Lu Xingzu (盧興祖), the Viceroy of Guangdong (廣東總督) extorted a large amount of silver from the Portuguese in the name of the edict.
Although Macao’s maritime trade was interrupted, Guangdong officials privately sent merchant ships there for trading, but were later exposed. In 1667, Emperor Kangxi (康熙) took over the reign and ordered an investigation over Guangdong official’s illicit commercial activities and a replanning of Macao. Upon hearing the news, Lu committed suicide, while others involved in the misconduct were removed from their posts. In the end, the emperor exempted Macao from the Great Frontier Shift and kept its land trade routes with mainland China. This arrangement lasted until 1684 when the Qing court lifted the maritime ban.
The Macao customs service branch was established in 1688. Being one of the seven major branches of the Canton Customs, it dealt with foreign trade affairs and had four levy halls affiliated to it. The levy hall in Rua do Teatro dealt with the levies on domestic and foreign merchants. The one in Praia Grande Bay was responsible for the inspection of foreigners and vessels entering Macao. The one near A-Ma Temple supervised Chinese merchants in Macao and fishing boats to prevent levy evasion. The one at the Border Gate collected levies on overland trade.
In early 19th century, the British sought to make Macao its springboard for market expansion in China. In 1802, British fleets reached the shore of Macao, but the Portuguese refused to let them land and turned to the Qing court for help. In the end, the British retreated.
However, Britain did not give up on Macao. In 1808, the Napoleonic Wars gave the British an excuse to enter Macao, claiming that they would protect Macao from a French invasion. 300 British soldiers came to Macao (the number later rose to 800) and promised to side with the Portuguese in defending Macao. As the British soldiers occupied Macao, Chinese officials started to reinforce their garrisons in the neighbouring areas. Upon hearing about the British landing, Emperor Jiaqing (嘉慶) cut food supply to Macao and sent troops to repulse the British. After nearly three months of conflicts, British soldiers withdrew from Macao. The Viceroy of Liang-Guang Bailing then tightened regulations over trade in Macao and Guangzhou in 1809.
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How did Macao become a winter residence under the Canton system? |
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Over time, Guangzhou built a comprehensive system for the management of trade and foreigners in Macao. Chinese officials dispatched to Macao would promptly handle any disputes involving foreigners or hand over the matter to the Portuguese council. The Qing court also set up an administration to deal with the entry clearance and levies regarding foreign merchant ships. Apart from its ideal location, Macao was made a formal residence for foreigners outside the trading season for administrative purposes. |