China and Great Britain were pursuing competing interests in the 19th century. The British wanted to create a positive trade balance with China by importing opium into that country. China wanted to maintain control over its population and trade by restricting foreign influence and goods. What motivations did each side have in pursuing its respective policies? Think about how different people on each side may have understood and justified their actions. Choose one of the following characters/perspectives for your editorial:
Chinese merchant
British merchant
Chinese politician
British politician