CONVENTION FOR THE LEASE OF KUANG-CHOU WAN.1

Submitted to the Tsung-li Yamen, May 27, 1898; Ratified by China,

January 5, 1900.

[TRANSLATION]

ARTICLE I.

The Chinese Government, in consideration of its friendship for France, has given by a lease for 99 years Kuang-chou wan to the French Government to establish there a naval station with coaling depot, but it is understood that this shall not offset the sovereign rights of China over the territory ceded.

ARTICLE II.

The leased territory shall include the waters and ground necessary for the security, the provisioning and the normal development of the naval station and of the coaling depot, that is to say:

(a) The island of Tong-hai;

(b) The island of Nao-chou;

(c) At Lei-chou, a strip of land connecting a point of the coast south of Kiu-man sien (Tiao-man) and situated in 20° 50′ north latitude, with She-men in 21° 25′ north latitude along a strip roughly indicated on the annexed map.2

(d) At Kao-chou, a strip of land comprised between 21° 25′ north latitude and 21° 04′ north latitude, along a strip roughly indicated on the annexed map.

(e) The small islands situated inside of Kuang-chou wan, as well as the interior and exterior waters of the bay, and the exterior waters of Nao-chou and of Tong-hai, within the limits recognized in international law (six marine miles).

The exact limits on the continent of Lei-chou and of Kao-chou shall be fixed, after the signing of the present convention, when special surveys shall have been made by officials designated by the two governments. Said officials shall begin their work without delay, so that all possible misunderstanding between the two countries shall be obviated.

1 Rockhill, p. 55.

2 Omitted.

ARTICLE III.

The territory shall be governed and administered during the 99 years of the lease by France alone, so that all possible misunderstanding between the two countries shall be obviated.

The inhabitants shall continue to enjoy their property; they may continue to inhabit the leased territory and pursue their labors and occupations, under the protection of France, so long as they respect its laws and regulations. France shall pay an equitable price to the native property owners for the land which it may wish to acquire.

ARTICLE IV.

France may erect fortifications, place garrisons of troops or take any other defensive measure on the leased land. She may erect light-houses, set buoys and signals useful for navigation on the leased territory, along the islands and coasts, and, in a general way, take all measures and adopt all plans to insure the freedom and safety of navigation.

ARTICLE V.

Steamers of China as well as the ships of the powers having diplomatic and commercial relations with her, shall be treated within the leased territory in the same manner as in the opened part of China.

France may issue all regulations she may wish for the administration of the territory and of the ports and particularly levy light-house and tonnage dues destined to cover the expense of erecting and keeping up lights, beacons and signals, but such regulations and dues shall be impartially used for ships of all nationalities.

ARTICLE VI.

If cases of extradition should occur, they shall be dealt with according to the provisions of existing conventions between France and China, particularly those regulating the neighboring relations between China and Tongking.

ARTICLE VII.

The Chinese Government authorizes France to construct a railway connecting a point on the bay of Kuang-chou wan, by Lei chou, with a point to be designated on the west coast of Lei-chou, in the neighborhood of On-pu. This latter point shall be precisely designated later on.

China will give the land, but the expenses of building and working shall be borne by France. Chinese shall have the right to travel and trade on the railway, in accordance with the general tariff in force.

The mandarins must see to the protection of the railway and the stock, but the repairs and maintenance of said road and its stock shall be at the expense of France.

ARTICLE VIII.

France may also, at the end of the line about On-pu, build landing stages, wharves, storehouses and hospitals, put up lights, buoys and signals. The nearest deep water anchorage to this terminus (territorial waters) shall be exclusively reserved for French and Chinese ships of war, those of the latter nationality only when neutral.

The present convention shall come into force at once. It shall be ratified at once by the Emperor of China, and when it shall have been ratified by the President of the French Republic, the exchange of ratifications shall take place at within the briefest delay.

Done at Peking in eight copies, of which four are in the French language and four in Chinese, the

1898.

CONVENTION BETWEEN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND CHINA RESPECTING AN EXTENSION OF HONG KONG TERRITORY.1

Signed at Peking, June 9, 1898; Ratifications exchanged at London, August 6, 1898.

Whereas it has for many years past been recognized that an extension of Hong Kong territory is necessary for the proper defence and protection of the colony,

It has now been agreed between the Governments of Great Britain and China that the limits of British territory shall be enlarged under lease to the extent indicated generally on the annexed map.2 The exact boundaries shall be hereafter fixed when proper surveys have been made by officials appointed by the two governments. The term of this lease shall be ninety-nine years.

1 Rockhill, p. 58.

2 Omitted.

It is at the same time agreed that within the city of Kowloon the Chinese officials now stationed there shall continue to exercise jurisdiction except so far as may be inconsistent with the military requirements for the defence of Hong Kong. Within the remainder of the newlyleased territory Great Britain shall have sole jurisdiction. Chinese officials and people shall be allowed as heretofore to use the road from Kowloon to Hsinan.

It is further agreed that the existing landing-place near Kowloon city shall be reserved for the convenience of Chinese men-of-war, merchant and passenger vessels, which may come and go and lie there at their pleasure; and for the convenience of movement of the officials and people within the city.

When hereafter China constructs a railway to the boundary of the Kowloon territory under British control, arrangements shall be discussed. It is further understood that there will be no expropriation or expulsion of the inhabitants of the district included within the extension, and that if land is required for public offices, fortifications, or the like official purposes, it shall be bought at a fair price.

If cases of extradition of criminals occur, they shall be dealt with in accordance with the existing treaties between Great Britain and China and the Hong Kong Regulations.

The area leased to Great Britain as shown on the annexed map, includes the waters of Mirs Bay and Deep Bay, but it is agreed that Chinese vessels of war, whether neutral or otherwise, shall retain the right to use those waters.

This convention shall come into force on the first day of July, eighteen hundred and ninety-eight, being the thirteenth day of the fifth moon of the twenty-fourth year of Kuang Hsü. It shall be ratified by the sovereigns of the two countries, and the ratifications shall be exchanged in London as soon as possible.

In witness whereof the undersigned, duly authorized thereto by their respective governments, have signed the present agreement.

Done at Peking in quadruplicate (four copies in English and four in Chinese) the ninth day of June, in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and ninety-eight, being the twenty-first day of the fourth moon of the twenty-fourth year of Kuang Hsü.

(L. S.)

(L. S.)

CLAUDE M. MACDONALD.

(Seal of the Chinese Plenipotentiary.)

CONVENTION BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN AND CHINA FOR THE LEASE OF WEI-HAI WEI.1

Signed at Peking, July 1, 1898.

In order to provide Great Britain with a suitable naval harbour in North China and for the better protection of British commerce in the neighbouring seas, the Government of His Majesty the Emperor of China agree to lease to the Government of Her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain and Ireland, Wei-hai Wei, in the province of Shantung and the adjacent waters, for so long a period as Port Arthur shall remain in the occupation of Russia.

The territory leased shall comprise the Island of Liu-kung and all other islands in the Bay of Wei-hai Wei, and a belt of land 10 English miles wide along the entire coast line of the Bay of Wei-hai Wei. Within the above-mentioned territory leased Great Britain shall have sole jurisdiction.

Great Britain shall have, in addition, the right to erect fortifications, station troops, or take any other measures necessary for defensive purposes, at any points on or near the coast of the region east of the meridian 121° 40′ east of Greenwich, and to acquire on equitable compensation within that territory such sites as may be necessary for water supply, communications, and hospitals. Within that zone Chinese administration will not be interfered with, but no troops other than Chinese or British shall be allowed therein.

It is also agreed that within the walled city of Wei-hai Wei, Chinese officials shall continue to exercise jurisdiction except so far as may be inconsistent with naval and military requirements for the defence of the territory leased. It is further agreed that Chinese vessels of war, whether neutral or otherwise, shall retain the right to use the waters herein leased to Great Britain.

It is further understood that there will be no expropriation or expulsion of the inhabitants of the territory herein specified, and that if land is required for fortifications, public offices, or any official or public purpose, it shall be bought at a fair price.

This convention shall come into force on signature. It shall be ratified by the sovereigns of the two countries, and the ratifications shall be exchanged in London as soon as possible.

1 Rockhill, p. 60.