Library

This book is based on the imperial edict files, Zhu's memorials, telegram files and other files of the Qing Dynasty after the Opium War. It compiles and edits the business records of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao after the Opium War, especially the regular customs management and taxation of Guangdong Customs. The archives compiled in this book start from the 23rd year of Daoguang in the Qing Dynasty (1843) and end in the 3rd year of Xuantong in the Qing Dynasty (1911), with about 160 files. The archives compiled in this book mainly cover the tasks of Guangdong Customs and Hong Kong and Macao branch customs after the Opium War, mainly tax reports, as well as issues such as expenses, personnel, anti-smuggling, and tribute services. Some of the archives involve the Qing government's management of foreign merchants entering Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao, that is, the number of foreign ships arriving in Guangdong and the items and personnel on board. The archives compiled in this book are true records of Guangdong Customs' regular customs tax collection and other commercial activities after the Opium War. They comprehensively reflect the changes in Guangdong Customs taxation and the decline of Guangdong Customs regular customs after the Opium War. They can be used as a reference for research on modern diplomatic relations, Sino-Western trade, especially trade between Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao.