What Opened the Modern Phase of Chinese Relations with Europe

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The Answer is The modern phase of Chinese relations with Europe began around 1840 with the Opium Wars. These wars were a series of conflicts between China and Britain, and later France, over the opium trade. The British, who were importing opium into China, were seeking to open up more trade opportunities and access to Chinese markets. This ultimately led to the signing of unequal treaties, such as the Treaty of Nanking in 1842, which forced China to open up its ports to foreign trade and cede Hong Kong to Britain.

Japan joined with the European powers in developing new imperialist ambitions through a process of modernization and industrialization known as the Meiji Restoration. During this period in the late 19th century, Japan underwent rapid modernization and adopted Western technologies and institutions. This allowed Japan to strengthen its military and expand its influence in Asia, leading to its own imperialist ambitions. Japan began to assert its power in the region, eventually leading to conflicts with China and Russia, and the eventual colonization of Korea and parts of China. This aligning of Japan with European powers in developing imperialist ambitions ultimately led to increased competition and conflict in Asia.

What Opened the Modern Phase of Chinese Relations with Europe

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