Changes

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>

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 [[Xiamen]] emerged in the late 16th century as the chief port where Chinese merchants trading in Southeast Asia were based, official [[tribute]] ships sent by Southeast Asian courts as part of formal diplomatic relations made port at Guangzhou.<ref>Craig Lockard, “‘The Sea Common to All’: Maritime Frontiers, Port Cities, and Chinese Traders in the Southeast Asian Age of Commerce, Ca. 1400–1750.” ''Journal of World History'' 21, no. 2 (2010): 225.</ref>

While [[Xiamen]] emerged in the late 16th century as the chief port where Chinese merchants trading in Southeast Asia were based, official [[tribute]] ships sent by Southeast Asian courts as part of formal diplomatic relations made port at Guangzhou. Such ships were typically piloted by Chinese navigators.<ref>Craig Lockard, “‘The Sea Common to All’: Maritime Frontiers, Port Cities, and Chinese Traders in the Southeast Asian Age of Commerce, Ca. 1400–1750.” ''Journal of World History'' 21, no. 2 (2010): 225.</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, not at other ports, and furthermore, as of a [[1759]] Imperial decree, had to do so through designated guild merchants, who could serve to help guarantee the Westerners' good behavior and regular payment of fees.<ref>Robert Tignor, [[Benjamin Elman]], et al, ''Worlds Together, Worlds Apart'', vol B, Fourth Edition, W.W. Norton & Co (2014), 504.</ref> 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, not at other ports, and furthermore, as of a [[1759]] Imperial decree, had to do so through designated guild merchants, who could serve to help guarantee the Westerners' good behavior and regular payment of fees.<ref>Robert Tignor, [[Benjamin Elman]], et al, ''Worlds Together, Worlds Apart'', vol B, Fourth Edition, W.W. Norton & Co (2014), 504.</ref> 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.