Lin Zexu

A native of Houguan village of Fujian province with the courtesy name of Yuanfu, Lin Zexu was a prominent figure in the campaign to suppress opium trade in China. In 1838, Lin was appointed to be the Imperial Commissioner by the Qing government and in the following year, 1839, he went to Guangzhou to force the British merchants over there to turn in 20000 boxes of opium and had them burnt. After this, he instructed merchantmen of all countries to present a written pledge of accountability for their shipment of goods and stated explicitly that if any merchantmen were found to smuggle opium, the merchantman and its goods would be confiscated and the persons involved executed. During Lin’s inspection tour of Macao made in the same year, the local Portuguese authorities arranged a 19-cannon salute by the Mount Fortress, Praia Grande Fortress and the S. Tiago da Barra Fortress to mark his visit and he was welcomed and cheered by populace along the streets. The Lin Zexu Memorial Museum was constructed at the square in front of Lin Fong Temple to his commemoration.