Directory_and_Chronicle_1930 — Page 290

238

WASHINGTON CONFERENCE RESOLUTIONS

3.-To use their influence for the purpose of effectually establishing and maintaining the principle of equal opportunity for the commerce and industry- of all nations throughout the territory of China.

4.-To refrain from taking advantage of conditions in China in order to seek special rights or privileges which would abridge the rights of subjects or citizens - of friendly States, and from countenancing action inimical to the security of such States.

ARTICLE II.

The contracting Powers agree not to enter into any treaty, agreement, arrangement or understanding, either with one another or individually or collectively, with any Power or Powers, which would infringe or impair the principles stated in Article I.

ARTICLE III.

With a view to apply more effectually the principles of the open door or equality of opportunity in China for the trade and industry of all nations, the contracting Powers, other than China, agree they will not seek nor support their respective nations in seeking :

(a) Any arrangement which might purport to establish in favour of their interests any general superiority of rights with respect to commercial or economic development in any designated region in China.

(b) Any such monopoly or preference as would deprive the nationals of any other Power of the right of undertaking any legitimate trade or industry in. China, or of participating with the Chinese Government or with any local authority in any category of public enterprise, or which by reason of its scope, duration or geographical extent is calculated to frustrate the practical application of the principle of equal opportunity.

are

It is understood that the foregoing stipulations of this article not to be so construed as to prohibit the acquisition of such properties or rights as may be necessary to the conduct of a particular commercial, industrial or financial undertaking or to the encouragement of invention and research.

China undertakes to be guided by the principles stated in the foregoing stipulations of this article in dealing with applications for economic rights and privileges from Governments and nationals of all foreign countries, whether parties to the present treaty or not.

ARTICLE IV.

The contracting Powers agree not to support any agreements by their respective nationals with each other designed to create spheres of influence or to provide for the enjoyment of mutually exclusive opportunities in designated parts of Chinese · territory.

ARTICLE V.

China agrees that throughout the whole of the railways in China she will not exercise or permit unfair discriminations of any kind. In particular there shall be no discrimination whatever, direct or indirect, in respect of charges or of facilities on the ground of the nationality of passengers or the countries from which or to which they are proceeding, or the origin or ownership of goods or the country from which or to which they are consigned, or the nationality or ownership of the ship or other means of conveying such passengers or goods before or after their transport on the Chinese railways.

The contracting Powers, other than China, assume a corresponding obligation in respect of any of the aforesaid railways over which they or their nationals are in a position to exercise any control in virtue of any concession, special agreement or

otherwise.