Analysis on the relationship between England and China
In China, England and Opium, Edward Fry criticizes England for forcing importation of Opium into China. Fry believes Opium has led to an unfair power balance between the two nations and ultimately caused an unhealthy international relationship. This potent drug has brought tension over two nations that represent the western and eastern world.
England used Opium as their merchandise to level out the imbalances trades between China and England. Initially, the British did not barge into China’s door with Opium as a mode of commerce. Britain heavily imported China’s silk and tea. However, China had no interest in British products thinking they were inferior to their merchandise. England was counting on making profit via the massive oriental nation, yet their plans have backfired with China taking majority of the profit. (Opium Trade, Britannica)
England exploited China's economy by wielding opiates as their weapon. After England realized Opium was the solution to their lack of export to China, opium could be mass cultivated and easily transported from Britain’s colony, India. This single merchandise brought wide spread addiction to the Chinese and in return, millions of pounds into the British pocket. The British demanded three million pounds for reprimands when Commissioner Lin Tse-Hsu ordered supply of Opium from just one port. (The Opium Wars, The National Interest) This shows that from a single harbor, Britain had been making immense revenues off of China.
Fry knew about China’s economical potentials and had to use it to England’s advantage. While Opium was a great merchandise, it has caused various troubles between the two nations, not to mention the damage it has done to the Chinese. Thus, they were going to need to export a broader range of legal merchandises. Fearing that China will never trade with England in the future, Fry believes it is the best to stop the exportation of Opium and to get on good grounds with China.
