386 Boundaries and Beyond
straits-crossing trade with Taiwan was “very considerable indeed”, as
John Bowring put it.^139
In Canton, the junk trade continued to βlourish. According to the
investigation conducted by British consular ofβicials in 1852, the annual
number of arrivals of trading junks was estimated to be 850.^140 In
addition, some three to four hundred salt junks traded with Canton.^141
The smaller junks were 50 to 60 tons each, while the largest were not less
than 900 to 1,000 tons. The average tonnage of the junks connected with
Canton was estimated to be 150.^142
The Canton junks continued to be βitted out to sail the entire length
of the coast of China. The trade consisted of the exchange of Guangdong
products for those of the other regions. In aggregate, it was not of
high value. For instance, junks sailing to Tianjin and Liaodong carried
bulky articles, including lacquerware, manufactured metals, furniture,
earthenware, plus a few foreign goods. The returning junks brought back
almost entirely low-value dried fruits and vegetables. The more expensive
teas and raw and manufactured silks were taken via the overland
routes. Although there was no direct trade between Canton and Taiwan,
Zhangzhou junks provided the linkage by bringing in camphor from the
island. Chaozhou also had a bustling trade with Taiwan on account of the
large numbers of its migrants there.^143
Hainan, in the vicinity of Canton, contributed to the trade with its
specialties such as rattans, timber, pigs, bêche-de-mer, shark’s βins,
betel-nut and seaweed. The Hainanese βishermen were engaged in the
collection of maritime delicacies that yielded considerable returns. They
left their homes for a month or longer and visited many of the distant
shoals in the South China Sea. Because of its cheaper prices, Hainan sugar
competed well against the Taiwan product. It was shipped to Shanghai
by 30 Canton vessels, and a larger number of Fujian junks. Even foreign
imports such as spices and ivory were transshipped to Canton and other
coastal ports as Hainan products to avoid heavier customs duties. The
chief ports in the island were Qiongshan on the northern side and Yazhou
in the southeast. There were also many other smaller depots. Junks from
Hainan to Canton varied from 70 to 150 tons. About 200 of them entered
via Jiangmen in the vicinity of Canton. The relatively short distance
- FO 228/136, no. 151, John Bowring to the Earl of Malmesbury, November 2,
1852, p. 6b. - Adam W. Elmslie in John Bowring to the Earl of Malmesbury, Encl. 9, p. 75a.
- Ibid., p. 34b.
- Ibid.
- Ibid., pp. 39a, 40a‒42a, 49b‒50b; also FO 228/136, no. 151, Harry Parkes in
John Bowring to the Earl of Malmesbury, Encl. 10, pp. 75b‒76a.
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