China seriously trying to strengthen her navy according to the Dutch newspaper Nederlandsche Staatscourant dated 9 June 1840

According to a small news item were in England tidings from Macao dated until 4 February received reporting that China seriously was preparing for war. By buying and seizing they obtained one American and two Danish merchant ships which were fitted out with guns with help of North Americans for war purposes. The newspaper Times feared that a war with China could cause that other countries being jealous on the position of England would fit out privateers influencing in a negative war the British trade interests.