I've been listening to a detailed history of the East India Co developing the opium trade in China. acting against China's laws they distanced themselves from the actual importation into China but benefitted enormously from the illegal trade. next episode goes into the Opium War they fought against China to ensure their trade continued.
just like any drug lords, these men were the root cause of terrible addiction and lassitude in large parts of China and damaged productivity. generations of lives destroyed for profit.
the Chinese, like any nation afflicted by foreign interests which result in disastrous outcomes, have long memories. and the nature of communism in a world that reviles such authoritarian rule adds to distrust, secrecy, and very tight bonds among the citizens. unifying them in the memory of their ancestors.
no bloomin' wonder they are having problems with we euro-types.
