一口通商
Term · History
Canton System
Literal meaning
one port + trade
Definition#
The Qing 'Canton System' (1757–1842): Western ships could trade only at Guangzhou, through licensed hong merchants (十三行), until the Treaty of Nanking opened five ports. Tea was the main Western purchase, and Western demand for it drove the silver drain and the opium trade.
Translation and usage#
| Language | Use | Alternatives & cautions |
|---|---|---|
| English | Canton System Qing single-port trade regime 1757–1842 established name |
Also acceptable
|
| Deutsch | Kanton-System Qing-Handelsordnung mit Kanton als einzigem Hafen established name |
|
| Русский | Кантонская система цинский режим торговли через один порт (1757–1842) established name |
|
| 简体字繁體字 | 一口通商 | |
| 日本語 | 広東一港貿易体制 |
Common confusions#
- Not a total closure: Chinese merchants' own coastal trade was not restricted in the same way.