To what extent were the British responsible for the outbreak of the First Opium War?

Candidates are required to consider the merits or otherwise of the argument that the British were responsible for the outbreak of the First Opium War. In support of the argument, candidates may point out that the British were motivated entirely by economic self-interest, as the opium trade helped to correct the imbalance of their trade with China. Furthermore, the British refused to abide by Chinese law, objecting to the seizure of illicit opium, and preventing the Chinese from enforcing laws in their territorial waters. Candidates will consider other factors, for example Chinese responsibility, addressing their refusal to establish cordial relations with foreign powers and their previous toleration of the opium trade. Candidates may also consider that the Chinese were motivated by self-interest, as the opium trade was, by 1841, draining silver supplies, which was damaging to the Chinese economy.