The Hongs of Canton, showing the French, American, British and Dutch flags

In the 19th century, the Canton waterfront rapidly developed and became an important trading location, leading to economic affluence. This was largely due to the introduction of the hongs in Canton - factories where western traders were allowed to trade. As a result, for nearly a century Canton was the only Chinese port at which westerners were permitted to buy and sell goods. In this painting by Sunqua, the flags of France, the United States of America, Great Britain and Holland mark their respective factories. The central cleared area was variously known as Respondentia Square, Factory Square and The Esplanade, and grew in size as land was reclaimed from the river.

This painting, from the late 1830s, depicts the hongs at their zenith, with large numbers of traders on the foreshore, as well as the busy traffic of both local and foreign ships in the foreground. Sunqua combines both traditional Chinese artistic methods, with European ideas of perspective and chiaroscuro. The use of this hybrid style echoes the narrative - representing Canton as a unique port with different cultures interacting.