BRITAIN AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE AND TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY OF CHINA
1. The British government's interest in China during the nineteenth century was primarily commercial and not territorial. The China wars, the annexation of Hong Kong, and the extraterritorial and concessional rights acquired were intended as aids to commercial intercourse and not for political conquest. Nor did Britain look for preferential treatment in relation to other countries; in 1841 the British government had declared that they "seek for no exclusive advantages and demand nothing that we shall not willingly see enjoyed by subjects of all other states". British policy was largely in favour of maintaining China's territorial integrity, and Britain joined in the scramble for leases in 1897-98 only after Germany had occupied Kiaochow (Jiaozhou), France had leased Kwangchouwon (Guangzhouwan) and Russia had leased Port Arthur (Luda). Britain's lease of Weihai wei was specifically related to Russian occupation of Port Arthur. The New Territories lease was also concluded at this time. Nonetheless Britain remained in principle opposed to further territorial aggrandisement against China. In an agreement signed between Britain and Germany immediately after the Boxer reballion in 1900 both parties agreed that they "will not make use of the present complication to obtain for themselves any territorial advantages in Chinese dominions, and will direct their policy towards maintaining undiminished the territorial condition of the Chinese Empire".
2. In the Mackay Treaty (Treaty of Commerce) signed in 1902, Britain become the first of the Western powers to promise eventual surrender of its extraterritorial rights. Article XII of the Treaty stated that "China having expressed a strong desire to reform her /system judicial/and to bring it into accord with that of Western nations,
Great Britain agrees to give every assistance to such reform, and she will also be prepared to relinquish her extraterritorial rights when she is satisfied that the state of Chinese laws, the arrangement for their administration, and other coniderations warrant her doing so". No further progress was made on this issue as far as Britain and China were concerned until the Washington Conference of 1921-22. At the Conference the powers resolved:
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"To respect the sovereignty, the independance, and the territorial and administrative integrity of China;
To provide the fullest and most unembarrassed opportunity to China to develop and maintain for herself an effective and stable government;
To use their influence for the purpose of effectively establishing and maintaining the principle of equal opportunity for the commerce and industry of all nations throughout the territory of China;
To refrain from taking advantage of conditions in China an order to seek special rights or priveleges which would abridge the rights of subjects or citizens of friendly status, and from countenancing action inimical to the security of such States".
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