Final answer:
The Treaty of Nanjing ended the First Opium War with terms favorable to Britain, opening ports to Western trade, ceding Hong Kong, and marking the descent of the Qing Empire, which led to a long-term impact on China's sovereignty and global power dynamics.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Treaty of Nanjing, also known as the Treaty of Nanking, was signed in 1842 following the First Opium War between Britain and China. The significance of this treaty lies in its terms, which were heavily skewed in favor of Britain and marked the beginning of what were called the "Unequal Treaties." It opened five ports to European traders, ceded the island of Hong Kong to Britain, and established diplomatic relations between China and Great Britain as equals. The treaty also forced China to pay for the opium destroyed by Commissioner Lin Zexu, signaling a shift in regional power and the imposition of European influence on Chinese sovereignty. China's subsequent defeat in the Second Opium War only compounded the effects of these unequal treaties, leading to further concessions to Western powers.
By the late 19th century, the impact of the Treaty of Nanjing was evident as European and American traders flooded into China through 90 ports of call. Furthermore, the treaty had a profound effect on Sino-Japanese relations, as later events such as Japan's occupation of Shandong Province and the creation of Manchukuo demonstrated the weakened state of China in international affairs. Eventually, the Qing Empire fell into decline, highlighting the long-term ramifications of the Treaty of Nanjing on China's global standing.