Bilateral Relationship between the United Kingdom and China
Historical Background Early Interactions and Conflicts The historical relationship between the United Kingdom and China dates back to the early 17th century when British merchants first arrived in China. The British East India Company played a significant role in establishing early trade links, importing tea, silk, and porcelain from China in exchange for silver. However, these interactions soon led to conflicts, most notably the Opium Wars in the mid-19th century. The First Opium War (1839-1842) resulted in the Treaty of…