The Treaty of Nanking ended the First Opium War and ceded Hong Kong Island to Britain, formalizing its colonial status.

Background

Signed aboard HMS Cornwallis, the treaty ended the First Opium War. It forced China to cede Hong Kong Island, open five treaty ports, fix tariffs, and pay heavy indemnities. The Qing had little leverage, and the treaty was imposed unilaterally. It marked the beginning of the “century of humiliation” for China and established a model of colonial advantage for Western powers.

Legacy

– Legal foundation of British rule in Hong Kong – First of the “unequal treaties” imposed on China – Sparked long-term diplomatic reform and nationalist resentment

Key Moment

Perspective & Relations

Narratives

		1842-08-29 – The Qing imperial delegation signs away Hong Kong Island aboard a British warship.
		– Legal foundation of British rule in Hong Kong – First of the “unequal treaties” imposed on China – Sparked long-term diplomatic reform and nationalist resentment
		Signed aboard HMS Cornwallis, the treaty ended the First Opium War. It forced China to cede Hong Kong Island, open five treaty ports, fix tariffs, and pay heavy indemnities. The Qing had little leverage, and the treaty was imposed unilaterally. It marked the beginning of the “century of humiliation” for China and established a model of colonial advantage for Western powers.
		The Treaty of Nanking ended the First Opium War and ceded Hong Kong Island to Britain, formalizing its colonial status.
	China	The Qing government signed under duress, marking a major blow to Chinese sovereignty. The treaty signaled a shift from imperial strength to foreign imposition.
	France	France followed with its own unequal treaties, modeling its demands on the British terms in Nanking – part of the growing Western race to carve influence in East Asia.
		The Treaty of Nanking ended the First Opium War and ceded Hong Kong Island to Britain, formalizing its colonial status.
		Signed aboard HMS Cornwallis, the treaty ended the First Opium War. It forced China to cede Hong Kong Island, open five treaty ports, fix tariffs, and pay heavy indemnities. The Qing had little leverage, and the treaty was imposed unilaterally. It marked the beginning of the “century of humiliation” for China and established a model of colonial advantage for Western powers.
		1842-08-29 – The Qing imperial delegation signs away Hong Kong Island aboard a British warship.
		– Legal foundation of British rule in Hong Kong – First of the “unequal treaties” imposed on China – Sparked long-term diplomatic reform and nationalist resentment

Interchanges

China

Location

→

France

LocationNarrative

→

France

Locationobserver

→

China

LocationNarrative

→

China

Locationsignatory

→

Hong Kong Island

Locationrelated to

→