In 1835, almost half of Singapore’s trade with China was carried by Chinese junks, which arrived in Singapore from January to March, following the northeast monsoon. The junks collected Straits produce for the China market and also supplied the Chinese settlements in Singapore and the region with Chinese produce and manufactures. These included confectionery, dried and salted fruits, dried vegetables, medicine, earthenware, floor tiles and silk. The junks also brought in Chinese immigrants. The Chinese junk trade was extremely profitable because the winds enabled the junk to make only one voyage between China and Singapore each year.
