The tea-opium connection refers to the commercial relationship between the Europeans and the Chinese during the 18th century. China used to be self-sufficient, meaning that, since they had more exports than imports, they had no need to establish new trade relationships with Europe. However, Britain was interested in importing Chinese tea. By smuggling opium into China, Britain managed to get the Chinese people addicted to it and therefore created a demand for a British good in that country.
The tea-opium connection was clearly beneficial for the Europeans and not to the Chinese, and the British refusal to smuggle opium into China led to the Opium War.
