1729 Yongzheng emperor bans opium smoking The Yongzheng emperor issues an early prohibition on opium smoking, signaling Qing concern about the drug trade. 1757 Qing court limits Western trade to Canton The Canton system concentrates most foreign trade at Guangzhou, increasing friction over commercial access. 1773 East India Company expands Bengal opium monopoly The British East India Company tightens its control over opium production in Bengal, feeding the China trade. 1793 Macartney embassy fails to win trade concessions Britain's Macartney mission fails to secure wider diplomatic and commercial access to Qing China. 1796 Jiaqing emperor bans opium importation The Qing government formally prohibits the importation of opium as the illegal trade continues to grow. 1800 Qing government reiterates ban on opium A renewed imperial ban underscores the state's inability to stop opium smuggling through maritime trade. 1834 East India Company monopoly ends The end of the East India Company's China monopoly opens the trade to more British merchants and intensifies smuggling. March 1839 Lin Zexu arrives at Canton Commissioner Lin Zexu reaches Guangzhou to suppress the opium trade with stronger enforcement. June 1839 Opium destroyed at Humen Lin Zexu oversees the destruction of confiscated opium at Humen, escalating the crisis with Britain. November 1839 Fighting begins at Chuenpi Armed clashes near Chuenpi mark the opening phase of the First Opium War. 1840 British expedition arrives off the China coast Britain sends a military expedition to China, formally launching the First Opium War. January 1841 Convention of Chuenpi drafted A preliminary agreement proposes the cession of Hong Kong, though it is not accepted by both governments. January 26, 1841 British occupy Hong Kong Island British forces take possession of Hong Kong Island during the First Opium War. February 1841 Bogue forts fall to Britain British forces capture the Bogue forts, deepening Qing military losses in the Pearl River region. August 1842 Treaty of Nanjing is signed The Treaty of Nanjing ends the First Opium War, cedes Hong Kong Island, opens treaty ports, and imposes an indemnity on… October 1843 Treaty of the Bogue adds new concessions The supplementary Treaty of the Bogue grants Britain extraterritorial rights and most-favored-nation status. October 1856 Arrow incident triggers renewed conflict The seizure of the Arrow becomes the immediate pretext for the Second Opium War. June 1858 Treaties of Tianjin are concluded China signs the Treaties of Tianjin, opening more ports and permitting foreign legations in Beijing. October 6, 1860 Allied troops enter Beijing British and French forces enter Beijing after renewed fighting in the Second Opium War. October 18, 1860 Old Summer Palace is destroyed Anglo-French forces loot and burn the Yuanmingyuan, a defining symbol of the war's humiliation for Qing China. October 24, 1860 Convention of Peking ends the war The Convention of Peking confirms earlier treaties and concludes the Second Opium War.