The correct option is C
Direct maritime trade between Europe and the Chinese Empire began in the sixteenth century, after the Portuguese established the colony of Goa in India, and shortly after that of Macao in southern China. After the Spanish conquest of the Philippines, the pace of exchange between China and the West accelerated drastically. The Manila Galleon transported more silver to China than the Silk Road.
From China, an attempt was made to limit contact with the outside world to a minimum. The Chinese only allowed trade through the port of Canton. Monopolies and rigorous procedures were established to restrict the flow of trade, resulting in high sales prices for imported items and limited demand.
Because of the high demand for tea, silk and porcelain in the United Kingdom and the low demand for British goods in China, Great Britain had a large trade deficit with China and had to pay for these items with silver. Britain began to illegally export opium to China from British India in the eighteenth century to counter its deficit. The opium trade grew rapidly, and the flow of silver began to decline. Emperor Daoguang banned the sale and consumption of opium in 1829 because of the large number of addicts.
