Under the Ming dynasty, China experienced one of the greatest economic expansions in its history. This expansion affected every area of Chinese economic life: agriculture, commerce, and maritime trade and exploration. The Chinese allowed the Portuguese to establish a trading station in Macao, after years of negotiation. However, the impact from Portugal was not limited to trade. Jesuit missionaries had major success in China using their knowledge of astronomy to gain admission in the emperor's …showed first 75 words of 253 total…

…showed last 75 words of 253 total…of free trade ideas came from the West. A concept developed as a reaction against mercantilism, it means that government should not restrict or interfere with international trade. Opium was introduced, thus that product was exported in increasing quantities. Opium addiction then spread like wildfire among the Chinese people. The sale was protested against, later banned amidst the cries of protest. China was well on its way to becoming an urban, industrial, and mercantile economy.