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The Bocca Tigris, Bogue, or Humen (Chinese: 虎门; pinyin: Hǔmén, literally: 'tiger gate') is a narrow strait in the Pearl River Delta, Guangdong, People's Republic of China, where the Pearl River discharges into the South China Sea. The strait is formed by the islands of Chuenpee (穿鼻) and Anunghoy (阿娘鞋, a.k.a 威远) on the eastern side and Tycocktow (大角头) on the western side. Since 1997, the strait is crossed by the Humen Pearl River Bridge.<br/><br/> Because of its strategic location as a naval gateway to Guangzhou, the strait was traditionally fortified and some major battles in the First Opium War were fought here.
The First Anglo-Chinese War (1839–42), known popularly as the First Opium War or simply the Opium War, was fought between the United Kingdom and the Qing Dynasty of China over their conflicting viewpoints on diplomatic relations, trade, and the administration of justice.<br/><br/> Chinese officials wished to stop what was perceived as an outflow of silver and to control the spread of opium, and confiscated supplies of opium from British traders. The British government, although not officially denying China's right to control imports, objected to this seizure and used its newly developed military power to enforce violent redress.<br/><br/> In 1842, the Treaty of Nanking—the first of what the Chinese later called the unequal treaties—granted an indemnity to Britain, the opening of five treaty ports, and the cession of Hong Kong Island, thereby ending the trade monopoly of the Canton System. The failure of the treaty to satisfy British goals of improved trade and diplomatic relations led to the Second Opium War (1856–60). The war is now considered in China as the beginning of modern Chinese history.