Directory_and_Chronicle_1927 — Page 172

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COMMERCIAL TREATY BETWEEN CHINA AND PORTUGAL

Art. III.-The duty and lekin on foreign opium will continue as provided for in existing Treaties. The Government of His Most Faithful Majesty agrees to con- tinue as heretofore to co-operate with the Government of His Imperial Chinese Majesty in the collection of the duty and lekin on opium exported from Macao to China, and also to co-operate in the repression of smuggling in accordance with the Treaty and Special Opium Convention of 1st December, 1887. In order to render this co-operation effective, it is clearly stipulated that all opium imported into Macao shall, on arrival, be registered at the Special Government Bureau provided for this purpose, and the Portuguese Government will take the necessary steps in order to have all this opium stored under its exclusive control in a depôt from which it will be removed as required by the demands of trade. The quantity of opium required for consumption in Macao and its dependencies will be fixed annually by the Government of Macao in agreement with the Commissioner of the Imperial Maritime Customs referred to in Article II. of the above-mentioned Convention, and under no pretext will removal from the Portuguese Government depôt be permitted of any quantity of opium for local consumption in excess of that fixed by the said agreement, and neces- sary measures will be taken to prevent opium removed from the depôt for re-export to any port other than a port in China being sent fraudulently to Chinese territory. The removal from the depôt of opium for export will not be permitted except on production of proof that such opium has already paid all dues and duties leviable thereon by China. The rules for the carrying out of this Article shall be arranged by delegates from the Government of Macao and the Chinese Imperial Maritime Customs.

Art. IV. Such steps as are necessary for the repression of smuggling in the territory and waters of Macao shall be taken by the local Portuguese Government in concert with the Commissioner of the Imperial Maritime Customs, and similar steps in the Chinese territory and waters near Macao shall be taken by the Imperial Maritime Customs in concert with the Portuguese Government of Macao. This co- operation is intended to render such steps effective on all points in respect of which co- operation is needed, and to avoid at the same time any injury to the sovereign rights of either of the high contracting parties. Special delegates from the local Government of Macao and the Imperial Maritime Customs shall proceed to fix the respective zones of operations, and shall devise practical means for the repression of smuggling.

Art. V.-With a view to the development of trade between Macao and neigh- bouring ports in the Kwangtung Province, the high contracting parties have agreed as follows

1.-Portuguese steamers desirous of proceeding for the purposes of trade from Macao to any of the ports of call and passenger stages on the West River, enumerated in the Special Article of the English-Burmah Convention of 1897, and Article X. of the British Treaty of Commerce of 1902, shall be permitted to do so, provided they comply with the Special Regulations to be framed for this purpose by the two high contracting parties.

2.-Steamers specially registered for trade under the Inland Waters Steam Navigation Rules shall be permitted to ply between Macao and places in the Depart- ment of Kwang-chow-fu other than those mentioned in Section 1, provided they report to the Kungpei-kuan Customs for examination of cargo and payment of duties in accordance with Special Regulations to be framed for this purpose by the two high contracting parties. Such vessels may engage in all lawful trade, including the tow- age of junks and conveyance of passengers and cargo, subject to the regulations for the time being in force.

The privileges hereby granted are granted on the express understanding that Special Regulations shall be framed defining in detail the conditions under which such traffic may be carried on. Until then, the said Regulations have been agreed upon and published, the Article shall not become operative; and subsequently only on compliance with the said Regulations.

Art. VI.-Portugal having the right of most favoured nation treatment, it is clearly stipulated that any advantages China may think fit to grant to any nation in