Study On Prohibiting Opium In Guangdong From The End Of Qing Dynasty To The Beginning Of Republic Of China (1906-1917)

In the last years of Qing Dynasty, Guangdong was one of districts seriously jeopardized by opium in terms of huge import, consumption and prevailing smuggling, which put the Guangdong government under great pressure. In response to appeal of central government in prohibiting opium, Guangdong government began to set up the 'Anti-opium Bureau', lay down the 'Anti-opium Regulation' which was used to guide the anti-opium affairs. In addition, the Guangdong government also took a series of actions such as prohibiting opium-planting in short period, strictly prohibiting opium-smoking, selling opium within a time limit, blowing opium smuggling. Simultaneously, the Guangdong government was actively engaged in the negotiation with foreign countries and actively encouraged people to participate in anti-opium movement. In the early years of Republic of China, the Guangdong government set up the more specific regulations such as 'Anti-opium Regulations Articles 12' and 'Anti-opium Rules Articles 18' . The Guangdong government also took a series of actions in terms of prohibiting planting and transportation, prohibiting smoking and selling in a short time, blowing opium smuggling, setting up the mechanism of encouragement and formulating the policy of opium monopoly. In contrast with Qing Dynasty, the Guangdong government attached greater importance to the power of non-governmental circles which cooperated with official sides. In the joint efforts of Guangdong government and people, the struggle on opium Prohibiting made remarkable achievements from the end of Qing Dynasty to the beginning of Republic of China, but the eradication of opium is far from the success because of the difficulties, poor execution of officer, unfair treaty and the unstable political situation.