PART TWO
Between “Us” and “Them”Five chapters exploring the perceived boundaries demarcated between
“us” and “them” are included in this part.
Chapter 2 is about the strong Chinese sense of boundaries with
regard to their maritime frontier in late imperial times. They put
themselves on the defensive as is clearly revealed in the term used at
the time, “haifang”, meaning maritime (coastal) defense. This concept
set self-imposed limits on their activities beyond the coastlines and kept
away those whom they perceived to be intruders from outside of the
boundary.
Chapter 3 presents a clear case to explain the Chinese “haifang”
concept as shown in their perception of the Portuguese presence on
the coast. While the imperial government was determined to enforce
the sea prohibition laws against these intruders, the Chinese coastal
communities nurtured a strong desire to engage in trade with the
newcomers. This contradiction gave rise to a deadly struggle between
the law-and-order defenders and those who had a stake in maritime
activities.
Chapter 4 follows the events that occurred within the city walls of
Fuzhou, the provincial capital of Fujian, after the arrival of two English
missionaries in the post-treaty era. An incident in 1850 pitted the
missionaries against the local ofϔicials and scholars. It also enraged the
young emperor who had recently ascended the throne and caused a
diplomatic imbroglio between China and Britain.
Chapter 5 zooms in on a Fuzhou scholar who was embittered by
the missionary presence and the large inϔlow of opium shipped in by
English merchants. In his perception, it was the English government
that condoned the import of this drug. His furious anger is reϔlected in