In 1839, tensions between the Qing Dynasty of China and the British Empire reached a boiling point.
The British East India Company has amassed a fortune by selling opium to private merchants who smuggle the drug into Chinese borders. Determined to stop the illegal and addictive trade ravaging his country, the Daoguang Emperor responded with harsh penalties and an order to seize and destroy all opium in Canton, even those held by foreign governments and trading companies.
As the British respond with military threats and naval power, the Qing Empire is torn between maintaining sovereignty and navigating the rising pressure from foreign powers. The diplomatic and military actions taken by both sides will determine the fate of China's independence, its future relations with the West, and the lives of millions of opium-addicted citizens.
Will the Qing Dynasty stand firm against imperial aggression, or will it be forced to concede to British demands?
Can diplomacy prevail in the face of mounting tensions, or will the guns of war dictate the future of the region?
Crisis Director
Guiliana Sodaro
Rules and Procedure
This committee follows parliamentary procedure as defined in our Crisis Committee Parley Pro Document. However, procedure during committee may be modified at the Moderator’s discretion.
Position Paper
All delegates wishing to be considered for an award must submit a position paper before the start of conference. Position paper quality will be included in consideration of awards, however paper quality will not hold as much weight in award consideration as actual committee performance. Position papers are meant to ensure a basis for delegate research and help delegates feel confident while participating during the conference.
Detailed instructions for writing and submitting Position Papers can be found in the Position Paper Guidelines Document.
Questions
If you have questions about committee content or the format of your committee, please contact your Crisis Director at contact@ctmun.org with “Opium Wars: China” in the subject line.
For questions about CTMUN conference and logistics, please contact contact@ctmun.org.