History The Opium Wars Questions Medium
During the Opium Wars, there were several diplomatic negotiations between China and Britain. The first major negotiation took place in 1842, resulting in the signing of the Treaty of Nanjing. This treaty marked the end of the First Opium War and established several key provisions. China was forced to cede Hong Kong to Britain, open up five treaty ports (including Shanghai and Canton) for foreign trade, grant extraterritorial rights to British citizens, and pay a large indemnity to Britain.
In 1856, the Second Opium War broke out, and diplomatic negotiations resumed. The Treaty of Tientsin was signed in 1858, which further expanded the rights of foreign powers in China. It allowed for the establishment of foreign embassies in Beijing, legalized the opium trade, opened up more treaty ports, and granted additional privileges to foreign citizens.
However, the negotiations did not end there. In 1860, the Convention of Peking was signed, concluding the Second Opium War. This treaty further expanded the concessions made by China. It included the legalization of Christianity, the opening of more treaty ports, the establishment of foreign legations in Beijing, and the cession of Kowloon Peninsula to Britain.
Overall, the diplomatic negotiations between China and Britain during the Opium Wars resulted in significant concessions by China, leading to the expansion of foreign influence and control over Chinese territories and trade. These negotiations played a crucial role in shaping China's relationship with the Western powers and had long-lasting impacts on its history.