Lin Zexu: the Qing imperial commissioner of the Humen opium destruction who inspected Macau in 1839

A Qing official and statesman who served as imperial commissioner during the Opium War era. In 1839 he was sent to Guangdong to suppress the opium trade and destroyed a vast quantity of opium at Humen. On 3 September that year, accompanied by the Viceroy of Liangguang Deng Tingzhen, he inspected Macau and received Portuguese officials at Lin Fung Temple. The Lin Zexu Memorial Museum, inside Lin Fung Temple in Macau, commemorates this episode.

A Qing imperial commissioner who, after burning opium at Humen, set foot in Macau and declared the opium ban before Lin Fung Temple.

Lin Zexu was a Qing official and statesman, imperial commissioner during the Opium War era. In 1839 he inspected Macau; the Lin Zexu Memorial Museum inside Lin Fung Temple in Macau commemorates the event.

Profile

• Chinese Name: 林則徐 (courtesy names 元撫 and 少穆)
• English Name: Lin Zexu
• Born: 30 August 1785 (Houguan, Fujian)
• Died: 22 November 1850
• Region: Fujian · Guangdong · Macau
• Domains: Politics
• Subject type: Historical figure · Qing official · Imperial commissioner

Background

Lin Zexu was born in Houguan, Fujian (now Fuzhou). Rising through the imperial examination system, he held senior posts in both provincial and central government and was known for his integrity, ability and diligence, one of the most notable capable officials of the late Qing.

Career

I. Suppressing opium and the Humen destruction (1839)

By 1839 the harm of opium had deepened, and Lin Zexu was appointed imperial commissioner by the Daoguang Emperor and sent to Guangdong to suppress the trade. He confiscated a vast quantity of opium and publicly destroyed it on the shore at Humen — the event known as the Humen opium destruction. This became an important prelude to the outbreak of the Opium War.

II. Later official career

After the Opium War broke out, Lin was for a time demoted, then later restored and posted to various regions. He was diligent throughout his life and left behind numerous collected writings and memorials.

Connection to Macau

On 3 September 1839, Lin Zexu, accompanied by the Viceroy of Liangguang Deng Tingzhen, inspected Macau. By accounts, he received Portuguese officials at a pavilion before the Goddess of Heaven Hall at Lin Fung Temple, declaring his stance on the opium ban and reviewing the situation in Macau. The Lin Zexu Memorial Museum, inside Lin Fung Temple in Macau (completed November 1997), displays relics and historical material relating to his inspection of Macau.