European nations were interested in controlling territory in China primarily because:
1. To give them a large market for European goods: European powers sought to expand their markets for trade and increase their economic influence. By controlling territory in China, they could access a vast consumer base for their products, thus boosting their economies.
2. To provide them with a source of investment capital: Control over Chinese territory allowed European nations to extract resources, establish businesses, and gain financial benefits. This helped in generating investment capital and enhancing their economic power.
Overall, the interest in controlling territory in China was driven by economic motives such as accessing markets for goods and obtaining investment opportunities to strengthen the European nations' economies.
