Fu Po was the fourth vessel launched from the Foochow Arsenal, on 22 December 1870. She remained based out of Foochow until 1884 as part of the Fujian Fleet under Zhang Peilun, where she was present for the Battle of Fuzhou on 23 August, the opening engagement of the Sino-French War. At the battle, the Chinese fleet were split into a northern and southern squadron opposing the French Far East Squadron under Admiral Amédée Courbet; Fu Po was part of the northern squadron with the flagship , three other large ships, and several gunboats.
Fu Po, the fourth vessel from the Foochow Arsenal launched on December 22, 1870, served in the Fujian Fleet under Zhang Peilun until 1884. She was present at the Battle of Fuzhou on August 23, which initiated the Sino-French War. The Chinese fleet during this battle consisted of a northern and southern squadron; Fu Po was part of the northern squadron with the flagship, three other large ships, and several gunboats.