(A) ** Sphere of Influence
(B) Indirect Rule
(C) Protectorate
(D) Resources
EXPLANATIONS BELOW
Concept note-1: -A sphere of influence is an area in which an individual or organization can exert power or control. For example, a company’s sphere of influence may include its employees, customers, shareholders, and the general public.
Concept note-2: -In the field of international relations, a sphere of influence (SOI) is a spatial region or concept division over which a state or organization has a level of cultural, economic, military or political exclusivity.
Concept note-3: -Following its loss of the two Opium Wars, China entered a period where foreign imperial powers developed ‘spheres of influence’ within its borders. Each of the following nations developed and established ‘spheres of influence’ in China after the mid-1800s: France, Britain, Germany, Russia and Japan.
Concept note-4: -OUTSIDE INFLUENCE IN CHINA As such, they were also imposing their influence on China in the form of ‘spheres of influence’. In fact, the major western powers of the time (Britain, France, Russia, Japan and Germany) established major spheres of influence in China that lasted throughout the end of the 19th century.