This paper looks at the use of portraiture by the Manchu official Qiying (1787-1858) who was sent by the Daoguang Emperor (r.1820-1850) to Guangdong for the negotiations of the Nanjing Treaty after the Opium War (1839-1841). By looking at the different practices involved in the gifting of portraits in Europe and China, the paper will highlight the problems of communications and exchanges between Britain and China during this period. It will also show how Guangdong’s leading merchants were instrumental in these discussions and how they were active players in Guangdong’s local community and Qing politics.