Modern China is the second-largest economy in the world, soon to be number one. But this isn't anything new for China, which has always been an economic and cultural power in the world; Emperor Qianlong ruled over the empire for over 50 years, which extended from the Himalayas to the Yellow Sea. Spin back just over two hundred years to see what "addictive" commodities are at the heart of China's trade with Great Britain.
