They repeatedly lost against the Western powers. Two Opium Wars (鸦片战争 yāpiàn zhànzhēng), pitted China against Western powers, notably Britain and France. China quickly lost both wars. After each defeat, the victors forced the Chinese government to make major concessions. After the first war 1839–1842, the treaty ceded Hong Kong island to Britain, and opened five "treaty ports" including Shanghai and Guangzhou (Canton), and others of less importance Xiamen, Fuzhou, and Ningbo) to Western trade. After the second, Britain acquired Kowloon (the peninsula opposite Hong Kong island), and inland cities such as Nanjing and Hangkou (now part of Wuhan) were opened to trade.
They repeatedly lost against the Western powers. Two Opium Wars (鸦片战争 yāp,iàn zhànzhēng), pitted China against Western powers, notably Br.itain and France. China quickly lost both wars. After each defeat the victors forced the Chinese government to make major concessions. After the first war 1839–1842, the treaty ceded Hong Kong island to Britain, and opened five "treaty ports" including Shanghai and Guangzhou (Canton), and others of less importance Xiamen, Fuzhou, and Ningbo) to West,ern trade. After the second, Britain acquired Kowloon (the peninsula opposite Hong Kong island) and inland cities such as Nanjing and Hangkou (now part of Wuhan) were opened to trade