Directory_and_Chronicle_1925 — Page 220

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RUSSIA

RUSSO-CHINESE

AGREEMENT

SIGNED AT PEKING, ON MARCH 14TH, 1924

The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the Republic of China, desiring to re-establish normal relations with each other, have agreed to conclude an agree- ment of general principles for the settlement of the questions between the two countries, and have to that end named as their Plenipotentiaries, that is to say: The Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics: Lov Mikhailovitch Karakhan; His Excellency the President of the Republic of China: Chengting Thomas Wang.

Who, having communicated to each other their respective full powers, found to be in good and due form, have agreed upon the following Articles :—

Art. I.--Immediately upon the signing of the present Agreement, the normal diplomatic and consular relations between the two Contracting Parties shall be re- established.

The Government of the Republic of China agrees to take the necessary steps to transfer to the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics the Legation and Consular buildings formerly belonging to the Tsarist Government.

Art. II. The Government of the two Contracting Parties agree to hold, within one month after the signing of the present Agreement, a Conference which shall conclude and carry out detailed arrangements relative to the questions in accord- ance with the principles as provided in the following Articles.

Such detailed arrangements shall be completed as soon as possible and, in any case, not later than six months from the date of the opening of the Conference as provided in the preceding paragraph.

Art. III. The Governments of the two Contracting Parties agree to annul at the Conference as provided in the preceding Article, all Conventions, Treaties, Agreements, Protocols, Contracts, etcetera, concluded between the Government of China and the Tsarist Government and to replace them with new treaties, agree- ments, etcetera, on the basis of equality, reciprocity and justice, as well as the spirit of the Declarations of the Soviet Government of the years of 1919 and 1920.

Art. IV. The Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, in accordance with its policy and Declarations of 1919 and 1920, declares that all Treaties, Agreements, etcetera, concluded between the former Tsarist Government and any third party or parties affecting the sovereign rights or interests of China are null and void.

The Chinese Government on its part declares that all Treaties, Agreements, etcetera, concluded between China and any third party or parties affecting the sovereign rights or interests of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics are null and void.