George Thomas Stuanton And Amherst Embassy's Visit To China

At the turn of the 18 th and 19 th centuries,the capitalist economy of Britain developed rapidly,and it was urgent to open up overseas markets.At this time,however,Sino-British trade issues are rising and falling one after another.In order to eliminate trade barriers and expand trade privileges in China,the British government sent the Amherst Embassy to China again in 1816,after the failure of the Macartney Embassy to visit China,for the purpose of complete the unfinished business of the former Mission.George Thomas Staunton is the only person in Britain who has participated in the Macartney and Amherst missions.Among the Macartney Embassy,the 12-year-old young Staunton served as a translator and was received by Emperor Qianlong.At the beginning of the 19 th century,Staunton worked in Guangzhou Commercial Hall of British East India Company for more than ten years,presiding over the company's affairs in China,and gradually grew into a generation of "China Hand".He actively planned a new mission to China in order to improve Sino-British relations and promote the development of British trade with China.In 1816,with his knowledge and experience in China,he was elected to the Amherst Embassy.But like the Macartney Embassy,the Amherst Embassy once again clashed with the Qing government.As the second deputy ambassador and the representative of the interests of the East India Company,Staunton firmly refused to carry out the government's greeting rite,believing that it would not only damage the status and dignity of the country,but also the interests of the East India Company.Mainly because of his opposition,the Amherst Mission didn't compromise with the Qing Court on this issue,which eventually led to the failure of its visit to China.Staunton's thought reflected the British mentality as a powerful Western country at that time,and also reflected the differences of world outlook,civilization outlook,diplomatic outlook and economic development model between China and Britain,which were the root causes of the failure of the mission's visit to China.Affected by the visit of the Amherst delegation to China,Staunton strengthened his research on China and further deepened his understanding of China.He influenced the British people with his works and actions,contributed to the development of Sinology in Britain,and influenced the British government's policy towards China to a certain extent.