| + | The site was an active port town as early as the 9th century. It is said that at that time, more than half of the 200,000 residents of Guangzhou were Jewish, Arab, Persian, and Indian traders.<ref>Bonnie Smith et al. ''Crossroads and Cultures'', vol. B, Bedford/St. Martins, 2012. p393.</ref> |
| While the Portuguese were restricted to [[Macao]], the [[Dutch East India Company]] and later, from [[1699]] the British East India Company, came to trade at Canton. In the 17th century, policies and patterns of trade developed into what has come to be known as the "Canton system." The British, the Americans (from [[1784]] onward), and certain other Western powers were only permitted to trade at Canton, and not at other ports. Further, the [[Qing Dynasty|Qing Court]] placed restrictions on the types and quantities of goods to be traded, the times of year trade could take place, etc. | | While the Portuguese were restricted to [[Macao]], the [[Dutch East India Company]] and later, from [[1699]] the British East India Company, came to trade at Canton. In the 17th century, policies and patterns of trade developed into what has come to be known as the "Canton system." The British, the Americans (from [[1784]] onward), and certain other Western powers were only permitted to trade at Canton, and not at other ports. Further, the [[Qing Dynasty|Qing Court]] placed restrictions on the types and quantities of goods to be traded, the times of year trade could take place, etc. |