as the demand for tea increased, however, and the industrial revolution led them to seek more markets for their manufactured goods, the british began to try to expand their trade opportunities in china and establish western-style diplomatic relations with the chinese. this brought them immediately into conflict with the chinese government, which . . would only allow diplomatic relations within the traditional tribute system that had evolved out of centuries of chinese cultural leadership in asia. in exchange for trading privileges in the capital and recognition of their ruler, neighboring states would send so-called tribute missions to china. these envoys brought gifts for the emperor and performed a series of bows called the "kow-tow."

according to the passage, why were the british eager to trade in china?

a. the demand for tea in britain was decreasing.

b. they hoped to sell goods manufactured in britain to china.

c. they were trying to assume cultural leadership in china.

d. they wanted to increase the number of missionaries in the region.