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China's opium problem is a story full of historical pain. From the early cultivation of opium to its widespread spread, Chinese society has suffered dramatically. Opium, a highly addictive drug, not only erodes people's bodies, but also destroys the soul of entire nations. We need to go back into history and understand the ins and outs of this event.
Opium has been documented in early China, and even the ancient medical giant Hua Tuo used cannabis and opium as anesthetics. However, the real problem began to manifest itself in the 17th century, when the use of opium began to become widespread. By the 19th century, Chinese cities, such as Guangzhou and Shanghai, were full of opium smokers, and the cities were shrouded in smog.
What really contributed to the opium epidemic, however, was British involvement. In the early 19th century, Chinese exports such as silk, ceramics and tea were popular in Britain. As part of the trade, Britain smuggled opium into China, which became a problem of drug addiction in Chinese society. By the 1800s, the amount of opium had increased dramatically, from 300 tons to 3,500 tons, and the spread of this drug had caused great harm to China.
In fact, China's emperor decreed a ban on opium as early as 1729. However, the British continued to smuggle opium to China in order to safeguard the economic interests of India's opium monopolies. The problem of opium addiction became so serious that it was estimated that as many as 15 million people were addicted to opium by 1890. This is considered one of the largest national drug addiction crises ever recorded.
The Chinese authorities were forced to accept the opium trade, which swept Chinese society. To continue smuggling opium, Chinese smugglers began registering their ships as British ships. This triggered the Second Opium War in 1856, in which a Chinese ship was seized, Chinese crew members were arrested, and the British flag was torn down. China was forced to import opium legally, marking the legalization of the opium trade.
China's Daoguang Emperor tried to solve the opium problem early on, sending Lin Zexu to Humen to sell cigarettes, but this led to the First Opium War in 1839. China suffered huge economic and territorial losses during the war. A year later, the Treaty of Nanjing was signed, ceding Hong Kong Island to Britain, ending the First Opium War.
However, Hong Kong became a new base for opium smuggling, which remained illegal but the Chinese authorities were largely forced to accept the drug trade. After Britain stopped importing opium to China, Chinese society gradually woke up and became more vocal against the drug trade. The chaos and suffering caused by Britain in China is a historical wound that cannot be ignored.
By remembering history, we can better understand the suffering that China has experienced. The opium problem is not only a drug crisis in China, but also a violation of national dignity and sovereignty. This history teaches us not to forget national shame and to cherish today's peace and stability.
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