Historical Studies (Chinese Edition)

No.1, 2015

 

The Establishment and Recall of the United States Consuls in Macao in the Mid-19th Century                                                     

(Abstract)

 

Hao Yufan

 

The mid-19th century was a period of US expansion in East Asia. The establishment and recall of the US consuls in Macao reflected US political expansion and its commercial colonization of East Asia as well as trends in Sino-US relations. The placement of US consuls in Macao originated in the US strategic need for commercial development in East Asia and in the regional political and economic situation, and also conformed to Macao’s particular geographical advantages. Similarly, their recall was a result of the evolution of the political and economic situation in East Asia and of Macao’s declining economy, as well as of changes in Sino-US relations. The consuls’ placement in Macao and their recall reflects not only US expansion in Asia as it adjusted its strategic dispositions in East Asia, but also the impact on Macao of the forced opening of China’s hinterland and the rise of Hong Kong.