Abstract
Maritime trade between Europe and China started in the 16th century when the Portuguese conquered an Indian settlement. The Europeans were in seek of Chinese goods such as tea, silk and porcelain but the Chinese limited foreign trade to limit contact with the outside world because for them trade was the scrutiny of Chinese officials. Despite the Qing's government attempt to limit foreign trade, it accelerated dramatically in the 1770s, when England Conquered India and Burma. On September 4th of 1839, the British fired the first shots and the first Opium War was declared.
