Haicheng, Fujian

Haicheng used to be known as Yuegang (lit. 'Moon Harbor') for its crescent-shaped shoreline. It was a bustling port during the Ming dynasty even under the sea ban (haijin) which prohibited private maritime trade. Following the revocation of the sea ban in the 1567, the old smuggling port of Yuegang was renamed to Haicheng ("clear seas") and was designated to be the port where foreign trade (except with Japan) was to be conducted in Fujian.^[3] Haicheng became a key port for China's silver trade with Manila in the Spanish Philippines and rose to become one of Fujian's four main commercial ports.^[4][5]