ABSTRACT
Maritime logistics continued to expand during the Qing Dynasty, attributable to the prosperous export trade of local goods. A general invitation to merchants to trade in Hong Kong was issued after declaring the region a free port. In order to cope with the subsequent commercial development, the colonial government set up the Harbour Master’s Office. In fact, the colonial government overestimated the development of shipping and trade at the beginning. While western traders could only trade in the newly opened treaty ports, junks owned by Hong Kong natives could trade anywhere. The coolie trade was one of the main factors leading to the rapid growth of shipping. The coolie trade also brought changes to harbor management in the region. The opening of more treaty ports after the war contributed to tremendous growth in the shipping industry. Population increase was another impetus to the continuous expansion of the industry.
