The First Opium War (1839-1842) was a conflict between the British Empire and the Qing Dynasty of China. It arose primarily from disputes over trade, particularly the illegal opium trade, which Britain was using to balance its trade deficit with China. The Chinese government sought to suppress opium use and trade, leading to tensions that escalated into military confrontations. The war concluded with the signing of the Treaty of Nanking in 1842, which imposed significant concessions on China. This treaty ceded the territory of Hong Kong to Britain, opened several ports to British trade, and established a framework for foreign influence in China, marking the beginning of a period of unequal treaties.