Re: [Epic] The Opium Wars

From: Oki Purwanto <oki_at_...>
Date: Mon, 7 Jul 1997 10:03:33 +0800

>About 100-150 years ago, the Chinese under the Manchu (ie from
>Manchuria) dynasty had a little Contretemps with the Brits. The Opium
>Wars. What had happened was that the Brits had developed a taste for
>tea. The Chinese would only accept payment in silver. Not in Gold. Not
>in Goods. Silver, and only silver, usually Mexican dollars.

Huh ? I thought the Brits should then just trade/sell their gold/goods for
silver. Is that really that difficult ?

>Eventually, the Brits ran out of silver. They figured they had to get
>some of it back. So they _dramatically_ increased the supply of opium
>from a small trickle to a flood. The silver started coming back in via
>the Black Market, and everyone was happy.

>Except for the Chinese Government. Who had many, many faults. But who
>did not like their citizens becoming drug addicts, and worse, dependent
>for their supplies on a Foreign Power. So, the Chinese tried to do
>exactly what the US DEA is doing at the moment. But they lost, and the
>trade continued.
>
>Fortunately for the Brits, the Chinese at the time were probably the
>most racist people on earth. Having had a culture of unparalleled
>civilisation, artistic merit, and technical excellence for literally
>millenia, they could not conceive that a SubHuman/Barbarian/Foreign
>Devil/Animal-Who-Walks-Like-A-Man could possibly be equal to them in
>any area of technology, or any other field. It was unthinkable.
>The Brits meanwhile, were almost as racist, but didn't mind learning
>from the 'Chinks' the way they'd learned from their betters (eg the
>Romans) in the past.
>
>Chinese history, like the history of the USA from 1770-1820, is
>particularly interesting, and not very well known.

Kinda true. Most of my friends (me inclusive) are not very in tune with the
history of China, even though it is our ancestral land.

>To anyone of British ancestry, like myself, the handover of Hong Kong
7>hopefully means we can forget about this shameful episode. It may have
>been a source of shame to the Chinese people, but it was a source of
>both shame and guilt for us. Just hope the UK hasn't sold the people of
>HK down the river, the way they did Czechoslovakia in 1938...
>
 
It is kinda surprising. They did a small and informal survey in Singapore on
the eve of the handover. Practically all Asians interviewed (not just
Singaporeans Chinese) felt happiness/elation/gladness at the handover. The
reaction however was totally opposite among the 'angmohs' (ie. Caucasians of
whatever nationality). Quite a few expressed sadness and concern over the
sun setting of the Empire.

I do not want to read too much into this, but I am quite surprised at the
clear division of opinions between Asians (not just Chinese) and the West
(Americans, Brits, etc).

Regards
Oki
Received on Mon Jul 07 1997 - 02:03:33 UTC