A general view of the Hwang island fort in Wei-Hai-Wei harbour Possibly 1895

This black and white photograph, "A general view of the Hwang island fort in Wei-Hai-Wei harbour" was likely taken by the Ordnance Survey Office in 1895. It depicts a distant view of a fortified island, showcasing the coastal defenses of Weihaiwei, a Chinese territory that was leased to Britain during the late 19th century. The image captures the fort's location, nestled within the harbor, and highlights the strategic significance of this site during a period of heightened international rivalry in East Asia. The photograph, taken from a ship, gives viewers a sense of the fort's imposing scale and its importance for controlling the harbor's entrance. This work, though devoid of people, speaks to the global political landscape of the 19th century and the complexities of colonialism in China.