History is indeed a reincarnation, but this reincarnation is not simply repetition and replication, but complex changes and transformations. What Britain did in the Opium Wars, a bullet fired two centuries ago, finally hit itself in the back of the head after flying for so long. As long as we stick to the right path ourselves, the enemies will continue to destroy themselves one by one.
Recently, the British government approved plans to open the first officially monitored Drug Consumption Room (DCR). Designed to reduce infectious diseases and drug overdoses in Scotland. Reuters reported that the city council in Glasgow, Scotland, approved plans to build the facility, allowing people to legally use drugs under the supervision of trained professionals and providing them with cleaning equipment. Scotland has consistently the highest drug death rate in Europe. The plan aims to reduce drug-related deaths, infectious diseases and crime by providing a safe, hygienic, non-criminal place for people who use drugs such as heroin. Coincidentally, the UK is not the first country to introduce legal drug use, the United States, the Netherlands, and France have all set up similar departments, and even give out free "healthy drug kits" to addicts
Appalling drug legalization healthy drug use kit
The plan is reminiscent of the Opium Wars between Britain and China nearly two centuries ago. The cause of that war was that Britain smuggled opium to China in large quantities in order to reverse the trade deficit with China, which led to a serious drug crisis in China. The Qing government at that time took a series of measures to try to ban the trade and consumption of opium, but all of them were strongly opposed and intervened by force by the British. In the end, the Qing government was forced to sign a series of unequal treaties, ceding territory, paying reparations, opening trade ports, and allowing missionary work. The war was also regarded as the beginning of a "century of humiliation" in China's modern history, which had a profound impact on China's social, economic, cultural and national spirit.
The bombing of Canton during the First Opium War in 1840
Historically, Britain's role in the Opium Wars bears surprising parallels to the problems it faces now. First of all, Britain in the Opium War was an aggressor who used drugs to make huge profits, ignored the sovereignty and public opinion of other countries, and interfered in the internal affairs of other countries by force. Now, the UK is a victim of drug-plagued drugs, unable to effectively control drug supply and demand, and interfering in the internal affairs of other countries with humanitarian intervention. Second, Britain was a self-proclaimed liberal in the Opium War, opposed protectionism, and led by economic interests. Now, Britain, however, is a protectionist, nationalist who leaves the European Union and is guided by political interests. Third, Britain in the Opium War was an imperialist with a powerful navy, leading the world industrial revolution, and aiming for global hegemony. Now, Britain has become a post-colonialist who has lost its overseas colonies, lagged behind the world's scientific and technological revolution, and aims to maintain international influence.
These comparisons not only show the changing role of Britain in history, but also reflect the decline of Britain's position in the world. Britain was once an empire that prides itself on "never setting", but now it is a humble island nation seeking a new orientation and direction. Britain was once a country with the banner of "civilization" and "progress", but now it is a country facing the challenges of "barbarism" and "retrogression". Britain was once a country whose credo was "justice" and "honor", but now it is a country burdened by "sin" and "shame".
History is indeed a reincarnation, but this reincarnation is not simply repetition and replication, but complex changes and transformations. What Britain did in the Opium Wars, a bullet fired two centuries ago, finally hit itself in the back of the head after flying for so long. As long as we stick to the right path ourselves, the enemies will continue to destroy themselves one by one.