OPIUM AGREEMENT
[DONE AT PEKING, MAY 8TH, 1911]
Under the arrangement concluded between His Majesty's Government and the Chinese Government three years ago, His Majesty's Government undertook that if during the period of three years from January 1st, 1908, the Chinese Government should duly carry out the arrangement on their part for reducing the production. and consumption of opium in China, they would continue in the same proportion of ten per cent. the annual diminution of the export of opium from India, until the completion of the full period of ten years in 1917.
His Majesty's Government, recognizing the sincerity of the Chinese Govern- ment, and their pronounced success in diminishing the production of opium in China during the past three years, are prepared to continue the arrangement of 1907 for the unexpired period of seven years on the following conditions:-
I. From the first of January, 1911, China shall diminish annually for seven years the production of opium in China in the same proportion as the annual export from India is diminished in accordance with the terms of Agreement and of the Annex appended hereto until total extinction in 1917.
II. The Chinese Government have adopted a most rigorous policy for prohibit- ing the production, the transport and the smoking of native opium, and His Majesty's Government have expressed their agreement therewith and willingness to give every assistance. With a view to facilitating the continuance of this work, His Majesty's Government agree that the export of opium from India to China shall cease in less than seven years if clear proof is given of the complete absence of native opium in China.
III. His Majesty's Government further agree that Indian opium shall not be conveyed into any province in China which can establish by clear evidence that it has effectively suppressed the cultivation and import of native opium.
It is understood, however, that the closing of the ports of Canton and Shanghai to the import of Indian opium shall not take effect except as the final step on the part of the Chinese Government for the completion of the above measure.
IV. During the period of this Agreement it shall be permissible for His Majesty's Government to obtain continuous evidence of this diminution by local enquiries and investigation conducted by one or more British officials accompanied, if the Chinese Government so desire, by a Chinese official. Their decision as to the extent of cultivation shall be accepted by both parties to this Agreement,
During the above period one or more British officials shall be given facilities for reporting on the taxation and trade restrictions on opium away from the Treaty ports.
V. By the arrangement of 1907 His Majesty's Government agreed to the despatch by China of an official to India to watch the opium sales on condition that such official would have no power of interference. His Majesty's Government further agree that the official so despatched may be present at the packing of opium on the same condition.
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