Why did Wuhu become Anhui’s only treaty port?

Wuhu became Anhui’s only treaty port as a direct result of the Chefoo (Yantai) Convention, an agreement signed between China and the United Kingdom in 1876. Following this diplomatic development, the city was officially opened to international trade in 1877.12

While Wuhu served as the province's sole treaty port, it is important to note that it never became a prominent center for overseas commerce. Historically, the city had functioned as a major commercial hub and river port since the Ming dynasty, particularly known for its role in the rice trade. Its strategic location at the junction of the Yangtze River and the Qingyi River made it a vital communication and transportation center, which facilitated its development as a modern town following its designation as a treaty port.21