What was the McCartney Mission?

The McCartney Mission, also known as the McCartney Embassy, was a diplomatic mission sent by King George III of Great Britain to China in 1793, led by Sir George McCartney. Its primary goal was to establish formal diplomatic relations and secure greater trade rights for British merchants. The mission ultimately failed to achieve its objectives, as the Qing Dynasty officials were resistant to British demands and maintained their policy of limited foreign interaction. Despite its failure, the mission highlighted the growing interest of Western powers in China and the complexities of East-West relations during that period.