Directory_and_Chronicle_1924 — Page 647

CHINA-PEKING

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commercial Treaties to which China is a party." Certain concessions were also made by the Powers with the object of helping China to meet the conditions contained in international agreements, notably the Mackay Treaty between Great Britain and China, concluded in 1902, providing for the abolition of interior imposts known under the generic name of likin. These concessions were a 2 per cent. surtax and an extra

23 2 per cent. on such luxuries "as can bear a greater increase without unduly imped- ing trade." At the conclusion of the Conference, the Tariff Revision Commission commenced its sittings in Shanghai to give effect to the resolution, and the result of its decisions is given in the Treaty section of this volume.

All foreign Postal Agencies in China have been withdrawn on the understanding that an

efficient Chinese postal service is maintained and that the Chinese Government do not contemplate any change in the present Postal Administration so far as the status of the foreign co-Director-General is concerned. This arrange- ment came into force on January 1st, 1923. All the British Postal Agencies were closed and withdrawn by December 1st, 1922.

These treaties and arrangements, together with the resolutions, will be found in the Treaty section of this volume. As a whole, the Conference gave general satis- faction to China, although the student element was dissatisfied with the cautious policy of the Powers in respect of Extra-territoriality. But it was recognised that at the Conference China gained a new status among the nations which will be her best protection in the future.

PEKING

天順 Shun-tien

The present capital of China was formerly the Northern capital only, as its name denotes, but it has long been really the metropolis of the Middle Kingdom. Peking is situated on a sandy plain 13 miles S. W. of the Pei-ho river, and about 110 miles from its mouth, in latitude 39 deg. 54 min. N. and longitude 116 deg. 27 min. E., or nearly on the parallel of Naples. A canal connects the city with the Pei-ho. Peking is ill- adapted by situation to be the capital of a vast Empire, nor is it in a position to become a great manufacturing or industrial centre. The products of all parts of China naturally find their way to the seat of Government, but it gives little save bullion in

return.

From Dr. Dennys' description of Peking we quote the following brief historical sketch: "The city formerly existing on the site of the southern portion of Peking was the capital of the Kingdom of Yan. About 222 B.C., this kingdom was over thrown by the Chin dynasty and the seat of Government was removed elsewhere. Taken from the Chins by the Khaitans about 936 A.D., it was some two years after- wards made the southern capital of that people. The Kin dynasty, subduing the Khaitans, in their turn took possession of the capital, calling it the 'Western Residence.' About A.D. 1151, the fourth sovereign of the Kins transferred the Court thither, and named it the Central Residence. In 1215, it was captured by Genghis Khan. In 1264 Kublai Khan fixed his residence there, giving it the title of Chung-tu or Central Residence, the people at large generally calling it Shun t'ien-fu. In 1267 A.D., the city was transferred 3 li (one mile) to the North of its then site, and it was then called Ta-tu- the 'Great Residence.' The old portion became what is now known as the 'Chinese city, and the terms 'Northern' and Southern' city, or more commonly nei-cheng (within the wall) and wai-cheng (without the wall), came into use. The native Emperors who succeeded the Mongol dynasty did not, however, continue to make Peking the seat of Government. The Court was shortly afterwards removed to Nanking, which was considered the chief city of the Empire until, in 1421, Yung Lo, the third Emperor of the Ming dynasty, again held his Court at Peking, since which date it has remained the capital of China."

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