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It is also understood that Indian raw opium, having paid the consolidated import duty, shall be exempt from any further taxation whatsoever in the port of import.
Should the conditions contained in the above two clauses not be duly observed, His Majesty's Government shall be at liberty to suspend or terminate this agreement at any time.
The foregoing stipulations shall not derogate in any manner from the force of the laws already published or hereafter to be published by the Chinese Government to suppress the smoking of opium and to regulate the retail trade in the drug in general.
ARTICLE 8.
With a view to assisting China in the suppression of opium, His Majesty's Government undertake that from the year 1911 the Government of India will issue an export permit with a consecutive number for each chest of Indian opium declared for shipment to or for consumption in China.
During the year 1911 the number of permits so issued shall not exceed 30,600, and shall be progressively reduced annually by 5,100 during the remaining six years ending 1917.
A copy of each permit so issued shall before shipment of opium declared for shipment to or for consumption in China be handed to the Chinese official for trans- mission to his Government or to the Customs authorities in China.
His Majesty's Government undertake that each chest of opium for which such permit has been granted shall be sealed by an official deputed by the Indian Government in the presence of the Chinese official if so requested.
The Chinese Government undertake that chests of opium so sealed and accompanied by such permits may be imported into any treaty port of China without let or hindrance if such scals remain unbroken.
ARTICLE 9.
Should it appear on subsequent experience desirable at any time during the unexpired period of seven years to modify this agreement or any part thereof, it may be revised by mutual consent of the two high contracting parties.
This agreement shall come into force on the date of signature.
In witness whereof the undersigned, duly authorised thereto by their respective Governments, have signed the same and affixed thereto their seals.
year
Done at Peking in quadruplicate (four in English and four in Chinese) this 8th day of May, in the year 1911, being the 10th day of the 4th month of the 3rd of Hsian T'ung.
J. N. JORDAN.
(Signed in Chinese characters),
TSOU CHIA-LAT.
(Sir John Jordan's seal.)
(Seal of the Wai-wu Pu.)
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The Imperial Maritime Customs shall keep a return of all uncertificated Indian opium landed at Shanghai and Canton during this period of two months, other than opium marked and labelled as provided above, and such opium shall pay the new rate of consolidated import duty, and shall not be re-exported in bond to other treaty ports.
In addition to the annual reduction of 5,100 chests already agreed upon, His Majesty's Government agree further to reduce the import of Indian opium during each of the years 1,912, 1,913, and 1,914 by an amount equal to one-third of the total ascertained amount of the uncertificated Indiau opium in bond in Chinese treaty ports and in stock in Hong Kong on the date of signature plus one-third of the amount of uncertificated Indian opium landed during the ensuing two months at Shanghai and
Canton.
Done at Peking this 8th day of May in the year 1911, being the 10th day of the 4th month of the 3rd year of Hsüan Tung.
J. N. JORDAN.
(Signed in Chinese characters).
(Sir John Jordan's seal.)
(Seal of the Wai-wu Pu.)
Your Highness,
Enclosure 2 in No. 1.
Sir J. Jordan to Prince Ch'ing.
TSOU CHIA-LAI
Peking, May 8, 1911. WITH reference to the Opium Agreement signed this day and the enquiry which your Highness's board addressed to me regarding the taxation to be imposed on certificated opium, I have the honour to state that certificated opium removed from bond at the treaty ports or imported into China after the signature of the agreement will be liable to the new duty of 350 taels per chest of 100 catties.
I avail, &c.
Enclosure 3 in No. 1.
Prince Ch'ing to Sir J. Jordan.
J. N. JORDAN.
(Translation.) Sir,
Peking, May 8, 1911. WITH reference to the statement in the sixth article of the Opium Agreement which has been signed to-day to the effect that the Chinese Government will levy a uniform excise tax on all native opium, I have the honour to inform your Excellency that the Board of Finance has now decided to levy a tax of 230 taels on every 100 catties of native opium, which is equivalent to the increased rate of duty on Indian opium; such tax to take effect at the same time as the new duty on Indian opium.
I avail, &c.
Prince CHING.
Annex.
On the date of the signature of the agreement a list shall be taken by the Commissioners of Customs, acting in concert with the colonial and consular officials, of all uncertified Indian opium in bond at the treaty ports, and of all uncertificated Indian opium in stock in Hong Kong which is bond fide intended for the Chinese market, and all such opium shall be marked with labels, and on payment of 110 taels consolidated import duty shall be entitled to the same treaty rights and privileges in China as certificated opium.
Opium so marked and in stock in Hong Kong must be exported to a Chinese port within seven days of the signature of the agreement.
All other uncertificated Indian opium shall for a period of two months from the date of the signature of the agreement be landed at the ports of Shanghai and Canton only, and at the expiration of this period all treaty ports shall be closed to uncertifi- cated opium provided the Chinese Government have obtained the consent of the other treaty Powers.
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