John Swire & Sons established The China Navigation Company ("CNCo"), initially operating Mississippi-style paddle steamers on China's Yangtze River - a vital link with the country's interior at a time when there were few roads. CNCo's vessel, Tunsin, was the first of many to sail under the CNCo flag. Within a few years, the company was also operating ships on the China coast, before spreading its network of services further afield to Japan, Southeast Asia and Australia.