In modern times Amoy, Xiamen, was opened to foreign residence and trade as a result of the Opium Wars. There is ample evidence to indicate that foreign trade had been conducted in earlier times also.  Most of the foreign residents lived on Kulangsu Island in Amoy Harbor. Great Britain established its concession in 1851. Japan also established a concession much later, in 1900. During 1898-1901 the United States Governemnt considered establishing a concession at Amoy primarily to be used as a naval base. With the taking over of the Philippines in 1899 the naval station idea in China was abandoned in 1901.

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In 1902 most of the island was formed into an International Settlement with rules similar to those of the International Settlement at Shanghai. One of the principal differences was that Chinese residents had a voice in the local government. Great Britain relinquished its concession in 1930 but maintained its rights in the International Settlement. In 1939 Japan attempted to take over the International Settlement to protect it from disorders brought on by the Japanese themselves. American and British sailors were sent ashore to protect the integrity of the settlement. Eventually Japan backed down. In December 1941 Japan seized control. During 1943 Japan eliminated the fiction of international control and turned the settlement over to their puppet Chinese National Government while maintaining their concession. In 1945 Japan surrendered its concession and by 1946 the last foreign rights were relinquished.

The size of the International Settlement was approximately 1.5 square miles (about 2.5 square kilometers). The population in the 1930s was overwhelmingly Chinese.

The images below are from post cards published between 1900 and 1910.
 
 

Settlement from Amoy Bay	Hills of Kulangsu	The Amoy Union Club
	Old American Consulate