What was the primary consequence of the Opium Wars between China and Britain?

The primary consequence of the Opium Wars between China and Britain was the expansion of British trade in China. The Opium Wars, occurring in the mid-19th century, were sparked by Britain’s trade of opium to China, which led to widespread addiction and social problems. The conflict resulted in treaties, particularly the Treaty of Nanking, which ceded Hong Kong to Britain and opened up several Chinese ports to British trade. Through these agreements, the British gained significant trading rights and privileges in China, greatly enhancing their economic presence in the region. This expansion of trade was a crucial outcome, as it effectively altered the dynamics of commerce and power in China and established a pattern of unequal treaties that benefitted Western trading powers at China's expense.