The local problem in Guangzhuo is the opium trade and addiction. Opium importation rose steadily from 200 chests per year under the Yongzheng Emperor to 1,000 under the Qianlong Emperor, 4,000 under the Jiaqing Emperor, and 30,000 under the Daoguang Emperor. In an attempt to solve this problem, the Daoguang Emperor issued many edicts against opium in the 1820s and 1830s. Chinese Commissioner Lin Zexu took the extraordinary step of writing to Queen Victoria in an effort to solve this problem. “Suppose there were people from another country who carried opium for sale to England and seduced your people into buying and smoking it; certainly your honorable ruler would deeply hate it and be bitterly aroused. We have heard heretofore that your honorable ruler is kind and benevolent. Naturally you would not wish to give unto others what you yourself do not want.” In 1838, Commissioner Lin Zexu destroyed 20,000 chests of opium. In response, the British government sent its formidable navy to seek compensation, which resulted in the opening stages of the Opium War.
Lin Zexu was not able to solve the opium problem. The Treaty of Tianjin signed after the Second Opium War (1856–1860) forced the Chinese to make opium legal. Opium remained legal until the early 20th century. Rather than fight the supply, China should reduce the demand. They could enlist the help of traditional Chinese doctors to use acupuncture and herbal remedies to treat opium addiction. Even though opium is legal, opium dens do not have to be. The government could focus on closing opium dens and getting medical help for those inside. With no place outside the home, opium smokers will soon have no place to smoke. China should shift to “soft” rather than “hard” methods.
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