The Opium wars and the cession of Hong Kong

Elisa Chhuon, Charlotte Dousset, Emily Heng, Hyunjun Jang

Foreign trade in Guang Zhou

Between the Ming and the Qing dynasties, foreign trade was banned all over China. In 1685, the government lifted the ban on merchantry and custom offices settled in Guangzhou and other counties. However, as the Chinese suspected a plot from the foreigners, they only inaugurated one port: Guang Zhou.

Due to the strict regulations the Chinese had put upon foreign merchants, British traders were not satisfied. The United Kingdom therefore sent emissaries to China in 1793 and 1816 in order to enhance trading opportunities, but in vain.

Opium in ChinaThe reason why the British were so keen on importing opium to China is because they had acquired an addiction to tea, however the Chinese would only accept silver as payment. The amount the British spent on tea was immense and the profit they gained from selling to the Chinese was insignificant.

So to balance out their expenses and gains the British decided to smuggle opium from India to China. Opium was banned in China in the 15th Century.

Destruction of Opium at Humen

Seeing that the Chinese were addicted to opium, the Emperor Lin ZeXu destroyed 20,283 chests of opium. This destruction lasted 23 days from 3rd of June 1839. The British Government considered this act as unacceptable and war was declared.

Commissioner Lin Zexu

The First Opium warThe British attacked China on June 1840. They swiftly occupied several counties and moved towards the capital, Beijing. On the other hand, the Chinese government discharged Lin Zexu and sent Qishan in order to negotiate peace. Although the missionaries from both parties agreed upon a treaty, this one was rejected by the governments. The war didn’t end before Guangzhou collapsed in the hands of the British.

The Treaty of Nanking The Treaty of Nanking was signed on August 29th 1842, marking the end of the war. The Chinese considered it as an unequal treaty because their country had to pay an indemnity and cede Hong Kong to their ennemy without anything in return.

The Second Opium War Since the Chinese didn’t fully

respected the treaty, Britain modified territorial designs of China. This act led the Chinese to retaliate by assinating a French missionary in October 1856, thus the second opium war debuted, but this time the French were involved.

In 1858, Guangzhou was once again occupied by the enemies. As the situation got out of control, the Qing government was obliged to sign the Treaty of Tientsin. Two years later, the capital was conquered. The Chinese were compelled to accept another unequal treaty: Convention of Peking.

In 1858, Guangzhou was once again occupied by the enemies. As the situation got out of control, the Qing government was obliged to sign the Treaty of Tientsin. Two years later, the capital was conquered. The Chinese were compelled to accept another unequal treaty: Convention of Peking.

The Second Opium War

The Cession of Hong Kong

Hong Kong fell into the hands of the British after the First Opium war.

Then, Hong Kong flourished as a trading port and developed to what it has become today.

Due to the additional 99 years of rule from the Convention of Peking, Hong Kong was only returned in 1997.