ARTICLE II.
The Government of China, having expressly agreed not to oppose such action as France may take for the repression of disturbance and the maintenance of order, now and 357 Chenceforward recognizes the validity of all Treaties and Regulations, existing or forth- coming, between France and Annam. As regards the relations of China with Annam, it is expressly declared that the honour and dignity of China shall not be prejudiced, nor, on the other hand, shall the present Treaty be infringed.
ARTICLE III.
Within a period of six months from the signature of the present Treaty, the two Powers will severally appoint Commissioners to proceed to the frontier of China and Tonquin, and jointly determine its delimitation. In places where the border line is not well defined, they will set up station marks to form a conspicuous boundary. If, with reference to the position of such marks, or with reference to such slight rectification of the present frontier of Tonquin as may be advisable in the interest of both Powers, a difference of opinion should arise (between the Commissioners), they will refer for instructions to their respective Governments.
ARTICLE IV.
The delimitation of frontier having been determined, all French subjects, or persons under French protection, or aliens residing in Tonquin, who desire to cross the frontier into China, will, before proceeding upon their journey, obtain a passport, to be issued by the Chinese frontier officials on the request of the French authorities. In the case of Chinese subjects crossing from Tonquin to China, the Chinese frontier officials may issue passes at their own discretion. On the other hand, when Chinese subjects desire to enter Tonquin overland from Chinese territory, application for the necessary passports will be made by the Chinese officials to the French authorities.
ARTICLE V.
Merchants of French nationality, or under French protection, or of Chinese nationality, shall be allowed to convey goods to and fro overland across the border of China and Tonquin. The number and situation of the places which are to be assigned as commercial depôts will be subsequently determined, after a careful consideration of the trade Returns and the lines of communication, in general accordance with the Regulations which now prevail in Chinese territory, the principle [of the arrangement] being the selection of two points on the Chinese frontier as depôts of trade, one above Pao-sheng,* and another to the north of Langson, in which French merchants will be free to reside, with the same privileges and responsibilities as obtain in the Treaty ports.
The Chinese Government will establish Customs at these places for the levy of duties, and at these places the French Government may appoint Consuls, whose powers and privileges will be identical with those which are exercised by French Consuls at the Treaty ports.
The Chinese Government will also be free to arrange with the Government of France for the appointment of Chinese Consuls in the principal cities and towns of Tonquin.
ARTICLE VI.
Regulations for the conduct of overland trade between Tonquin and the Chinese Provinces of Yunnan, Kuang-si, and Kuang-tung, will, within three months of the signature of the present Treaty, be jointly discussed and concluded by Commissioners appointed by the two Powers, and will form a Supplement to the present Treaty. The duties to be levied on goods imported or exported across the frontier of Yunnan or Kuang-si will be lower than under the existing commercial Tariff; but such reduction of duties is not to apply to the case of overland trade across the border between Tonquin and Kuang-tung, nor, again, does it affect the present Treaty ports. The sale and transport of fire-arins, military weapons, munitions of war, and explosive materials will be treated in accordance with the Regulations which are in force in the territory of both countries. The import and export of opium will form the subject of a special clause of the trade Regulations; and a special clause will also determine the question of the coasting trade between China and Annam, pending which the existing Rules will remain in force.
Pao-sheng is the well known "Laokai," the old head-quarters of the Black Flags.-E. C. B. [1612]
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