A general view of the Peishantsuy forts, on the W. coast of Wei-Hai-Wei Possibly 1895

This photograph, taken by the Ordnance Survey Office, captures the Peishantsuy forts on the west coast of Wei-Hai-Wei. It reflects a moment in the late 19th century when Western powers were expanding their influence in China. The image, stark and barren, presents a view of military architecture, which underscores themes of power, control, and territorial ambition. Captured during an expedition to Wei-Hai-Wei, a British leased territory, the photograph offers a glimpse into the geopolitical dynamics of the era. It serves as a visual record of the landscape, documenting the presence of colonial forces in the region. Consider how the photograph, ostensibly a neutral record, might also function as a tool of empire, reinforcing a Western perspective. The act of surveying and documenting the landscape enabled the British Empire to exert control and consolidate power in the region. What stories and perspectives are excluded?