Jianjun Wu's Interview

Q: How do you know about this war? What kind of impressions are there when you know this war for the first time? Why?
A:, due to the clerking of history through forefathers, I have found out about this war. The strongest feeling was the indignation at that time: There is indignation towards the incompetent Qing Government, there is indignation towards the barbarous invader too. The war is disgraceful for every Chinese person.

Q: After the war, what is China' s greatest change?

A: The greatest change of is: Britain opening the gate of China open, seizing a series of privileges on politics, on the economy, and that China is no longer a country with independent sovereignty. It [China] began to decline from then on. [Also] a large amount of outflow of the silver [of China], caused the poverty of China [and China] lagged behind [economically].

Q: Some say after the Opium War (1840-1842), some Chinese begin to take a broad view of watching the world [and] began to study western advanced technology. Because of the war, a process began which melted modern times into China. So, in a sense, the Opium War (1840-1842) is favorable to China. Do you agree to this kind of view? Why?

A: [I] disagree. Though the war woke the people up, it was still a war of aggression after all. The cost that we paid for this is too heavy. The war enabled people to drift about aimlessly, make the country suffer the enormous disgrace and, I think, though the war has played a certain role, however, real development, must depend on Chinese.

Q: If [China] did not have this war, would present day China be stronger?

A: I think, without this war, when history develops at a certain stage, the Chinese people would overthrow the moribund feudalism anyways, would establish a new system and adapt to social development.

Q: What has caused this war you have thought? What is the intention that Britain launches a war?

A: The main reason of war is that Britain wanted to develop national economy through invading [China].

Q: So, how did you feel about Britain at that time?

A:I think, [all countries] should treat each other equally between each other just like people and people , home and home. [They should] coexist peacefully, but should not strengthen oneself through weakening the other countries. About this kind of invasion [of Britain], a conduct of oppressing the weak, I disagree with.

Q: What was the role of Opium in this war?
A: Before the war, Britain attempted to turn back adverse balance through illegal opium trade, and to make a large amount of outflow of silver from China [to Britain]. Lin Zexu's ban on opium-smoking and the opium trade movement attacked the opium and smuggling trade, but became the excuse that Britain used to launch the war. Thus, the opium is a kind of means that Britain used to knock the Chinese gate open.

Q: We mention Lin Zexu just now, you how about appraise to him? Do you support his ban on opium smoking and the opium trade? Why?

A: If I was in this time, I would surely support his ban on opium smoking and the opium trade unwaveringly I have to live. No matter or to the people, there is enormous danger to the country because of the opium. Lin Zexu disregarded the personal gain or loss in order to safeguard the interests of the country. [He regarded] the people as his own duty and having defended national dignity, he is our national hero.

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