In the late 19th century, trade with China was dominated by the British operating from Canton at first and later at Shanghai and Hong Kong. German chancellor Otto von Bismarck established a foothold in China to offset the British dominance. In 1885, he obtained a steamship subsidy bill, thereby setting up direct service to China. The same year, he sent the first German banking and industrial survey group to evaluate investment possibilities, which led to the establishment of the Deutsch-Asiatische Bank in 1890. Those German efforts were second to Britain in trading and shipping in China by 1896.