Directory_and_Chronicle_1909 — Page 105

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THE CHEFOO CONVENTION, 1876

and the purchasers the lekin, in order to the prevention of evasion of the Treaty. The- amount of lekin to be collected will be decided by the different Provincial Govern- ments according to the circumstances of each.

4.-The Chinese Government agree that Transit Duty Certificates shall be- framed under one rule at all porte, no difference being made in the conditions set forth. therein; and that, so far as imports are concerned, the nationality of the person possessing and carrying these is immaterial. Native produce carried from an inland centre to a port of shipment, if bond fide intended for shipment to a foreign port, may be, by treaty, certified by the British subject interested, and exempted by payment of the half duty from all charges demanded upon it en route. If produce be not the property of a British subject, or is being carried to a port not for exportation, it is not entitled to the exemption that would be secured it by the exhibition of a transit duty certificate. The British Minister is prepared to agree with the Tsung-li Yamên upon rules that will secure the Chinese Government against abuse of the privilege as affecting produce.

The words nei-ti (inland) in the clause of Article VII. of the Rules appended to the Tariff, regarding carriage of imports inland, and of native produce purchased inland, apply as much to places on the sea coasts and river shores, as to places in the interior not open to foreign trade; the Chinese Government having the right to make arrangements for the prevention of abuses thereat.

5.-Article XLV. of the Treaty of 1858 prescribed no limit to the term within which a drawback may be claimed upon duty-paid imports. The British Minister agrees to a term of three years, after expiry of which no drawback shall be claimed.

6.-The foregoing stipulation, that certain ports are to be opened to foreign trade, and that landing and shipping of goods at six places on the Great River is to be sanctioned, shall be given effect to within six months after receipt of the Imperial Decree approving the memorial of the Grand Secretary Li. The date for giving effect to the stipulations affecting exemption of imports from lekin taxation within the for- eign settlements and the collection of lekin upon opium by the Customs Inspectorate at the same time as the Tariff Duty upon it, will be fixed as soon as the British Gov- ernment has arrived at an understanding on the subject with other foreign Governments.

7.-The Governor of Hongkong having long complained of the interference of the Canton Customs Revenue Cruisers with the junk trade of that Colony, the Chinese Government agrees to the appointment of a Commission, to consist of a British Consul, an officer of the Hongkong Government, and a Chinese official of equal rank, in order to the establishment of some system that shall enable the Chinese Government to protect its revenue without prejudice to the interests of the Colony.

SEPARATE ARTICLE

Her Majesty's Government haying it in contemplation to send a Mission of Exploration next year by way of Peking through Kan-su and Koko-Nor, or by way of Ssu-chuen, to Thibet, and thence to India, the Tsung-li Yamên, having due regard to the circumstances, will, when the time arrives, issue the necessary passports, and will address letters to the high provincial authorities and to the Resident in Thibet. If the Mission should not be sent by these routes, but should be proceeding across the Indian frontier to Thibet, the Tsung-li Yamên, on receipt of a communication to the above effect from the British Minister, will write to the Chinese Resident in Thibet, and the Resident, with due regard to the circumstances, will send officers to take due care of the Mission; and passports for the Mission will be issued by the Tsung-li Yamên, that its passage be not obstructed.

Done at Chefoo, in the province of Shan-tung, this Thirteenth Day of September, in the year of Our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Seventy-six.

[L.S.] [L.S.]

THOMAS FRANCIS WADE. LI HUNG-CHANG.

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