CO129-451 - Public Offices - 1918 — Page 182

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Not less favourable treatment shall be accorded to British commerce than to the commerce of China or the most favoured nation.

ARTICLE 7.

(a.) The Thibet trade regulations of 1893 and 1908 are hereby cancelled.

(b.) The Thibetan Government engages to nego tiate with the British Government new trade regulations for Outer Thibet to give effect to articles 2, 4, and 5 of the convention of the 7th September, 1904, between Great Britain and Thibet without relay; provided always that such regulations shall in no way modify the present convention except with the consent of the Chinese Government.

ARTICLE 8.

The British agent who resides at Gyantse may visit Lbassa with his escort whenever it is necessary to consult with the Thibetan Govern- ment regarding matters arising out of the con- vention of the 7th September, 1904, between Great Britain and Thibet, which it has been tound impossible to settle at Gyantse by correspondence or otherwise.

ARTICLE 9.

For the purpose of present convention the borders of Thibet and the boundary between Outer and Inner Thibet shall be as shown in red and blue, respectively, on the map attached hereto.*

Nothing in the present convention shall be held to prejudice the existing rights of the Thibetan Government in Inner Thibet, which include the power to select and appoint the high priests of monasteries, and to obtain full control in all matters affecting religious institutions.

ARTICLE 10.

In the case of differences between the Govern- ments of China and Thibet in regard to questions arising out of this convention, the aforesaid Governments engage to refer them to the British Government for equitable adjustment.

ARTICLE 11.

(Ratification Clause.)

NOTE. In the convention as finally initialled and sealed by the British and Thibetan plenipotentiaries on the 3rd July, 1914, the following articles were substituted for articles 10 and 11 of the text initialled by the three plenipotentiaries on the 27th April, 1914-

ARTICLE 10.

The English, Chinese, and Thibetan texts of the present convention have been carefully examined

• Not reproduced.

10. Chino to adhere to the new trade regulations.

11. Religious rights of Dalai Lama over monasteries in the Kokonor, Kansu, and Szechuan to

continue.

12. English text to rule.

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and found to correspond, but in the event of there being any difference of meaning between them the English text shall be authoritative.

ARTICLE 11,

The present convention will take effect from the date of signature.

SCHEDULE.

1. Convention between Great Britain and China relating to Sikkim and Thibet, signed at Calcutta the 17th March, 1890.

2. Convention between Great Britain and Thibet, signed at Lhassa the 7th September, 1904.

3. Convention between Great Britain and China respecting Thibet, signed at Peking the 27th April, 1906.

NOTES.

The notes exchanged are to the following

effect :-

1. It is understood by the high contracting parties that Thibet forms part of Chinese territory.

2. After the selection and installation of the Dalai Lama by the Thibetan Government, the latter will notify the installation to the Chinese Government, whose representative at Llassa will then formally communicate to his Holiness the titles consistent with his dignity, which have been conferred by the Chinese Government.

3. It is also understood that the selection and appointment of all officers in Outer Thibet will rest with the Thibetan Government.

4. Outer Thibet shall not be represented in the Chinese Parliament or in any other similar body.

5. It is understood that the escorts attached to the British trade agencies in Thibet shall not exceed 75 per cent, of the escort of the Chinese representative at Lhassa.

6. The Government of China is hereby released from its engagements under article 3 of the convention of the 17th March, 1890, between Great Britain and China to prevent acts of aggression from the Thibetan side of the Thibet- Sikkim frontier,

7. The Chinese high official referred to in article 4 will be free to enter Thibet na soon as the terms of article 3 have been fulfilled to the satisfaction of the representatives of the three signatories to this convention, who will investigate and report without delay.

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