And they have started the Opium Wars in China. The former crown colony Hongkong is a result of treaties negotiated at the end of the same.

I am presently reading and studying this subject. The Chinese themselves took part in the sale and usage of opium, much like decrying prostitution and aids as "western decadence" every wai guo ren knows these things exist in China. AIDS is in fact in the general population in China now and spreading due to no sex education, and talking about sex being taboo. Sex education (and education in general) is light years ahead in the west. If you don't talk about things, then nothing will change. Knowledge is power. Same regarding drugs, call me a hippie or liberal if you like, but students should know the dangers and risks involved so they can decide for themselves. I've nothing against people using drugs, well maybe not heroin, but if people want to use ecstasy, cannabis/hash, cocaine, I only wish they would so responsibly, drink water/energy drinks, don't push the limits.

As for Hong Kong, an interesting point. But if the chinese were kicking up such a fuss, you notice that even though putin appeased the chinese by giving back some land, the chinese haven't called for the land north of dongbei to be returned, that was an unequal treaty imposed on them by the then tsar at the time.

http://www.theguardian.com/books/2011/sep/02/opium-war-julia-lovell-review

this is the book in question, it is a bit anti-china though in my opinion, and not really objective, nonetheless, an interesting read.

Have a good weekend,
CT