Why didnt China grant trading rights to the British?

Answer 1

China did not grant trading rights to the British primarily because it viewed itself as the center of civilization, believing that foreign nations should be subordinate to its cultural and economic superiority. The Chinese government, under the Qing dynasty, maintained a strict trade policy that limited foreign interactions to specific ports, particularly Canton, and imposed heavy restrictions on what could be traded. Additionally, the British demand for tea, silk, and porcelain did not equate to a reciprocal interest from China, leading to a trade imbalance that the Chinese were reluctant to address through expanded trading rights.