Since the Opium War of 1840, the imperialism countries opened Chinese gate with cannon, weakening China into a half colony and half feudalism society. From then on, more and more imperialism countries forced Qing government to endorse a series of unfair treaties, strengthening the invasion to Chinese border areas. During that period, the "expedition", "missionary", "surveying delegation" and other forms of organization of Britain and Russia began to move about in Tibet.

After the failure of Lungtushan campaign when Tibetan people fought against Britain invasion by armed forces for the first time in 1888, Qing government was forced to endorse an unfair treaty with Britain, damaging heavily the Chinese sovereignty.