Directory_and_Chronicle_1932 — Page 243

RENDITION OF WEIHAIWEI

On July 1, 1898, the Territory and Port of Weihaiwei were leased to Great Britain by the Manchu Government for "so long a period as Port Arthur shall remain in the occupation of Russia." Great Britain at the Washington Con- ference undertook under certain conditions to restore Weihaiwei to China, and in 1923, the former Peking Government caused a commission to be organized under Mr. M. T. Liang to negotiate with the British Government for its rendition. An agreement was duly reached, but owing to the collapse of the then Chinese Cabinet, it was not signed.

When the final negotiations were initiated beween Dr. C. T. Wang and Sir Miles Lampson, the above-mentioned draft Agreement was practically scrapped. A new Convention and Agreement were initialled on February 13, 1930, and formally signed at Nanking on April 18, 1930. The exchange of ratifications was effected on October 1, 1930, and the transfer of Weihaiwei to Chinese control took place on the same day. Mr. Wang Chia-chen, Administra- tive Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Sir Reginald F. Johnston, British. Commissioner for Weihaiwei, officiated at the ceremony.

The following is the text of the Convention and Agreement signed between Dr. C. T. Wang and Sir Miles Lampson :

Convention and Agreement for the Rendition of Weihaiwei,

(Signed at Nanking, April 18th, 1930).

His Excellency, the President of the National Government of the Re- public of China, and

His Majesty the King of Great Britain, Ireland and the British Dominions beyond the Seas, Emperor of India.

Desiring that the territory of Weihaiwei leased by China to His Britannic Majesty under the Convention of July 1, 1898, should be restored in full sovereignty to China, have resolved to conclude a Convention for that purpose and to that end have appointed as their Plenipotentiaries:

His Excellency the President of the. National Government of the Re-

public of China:

Dr. Chengting T. Wang, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Re-

public of China;

His Majesty the King of Great Britain, Ireland and the British

Dominions beyond the Seas, Emperor of India; For Great Britain and Northern Ireland: Sir Miles Wedderburn Lampson, K.C.M. G.,

Majesty's Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Republic of China;

C.B., M.V.O.,

His

Who, having communicated their full powers, found in good and due form, have agreed as follows:

Article I.-The territory of Weihaiwei, as delimited by the boundary stones fixed by the Boundary Commission of 1899-1901, comprising a belt of land 10 English miles wide along the entire coastline of the Bay of Weihaiwei and including Liukungtao and all other islands in the Bay of Weihaiwei, is hereby returned by His Britannic Majesty to the Republic of China.

Article II.-The Convention for the lease of Weihaiwei, concluded on July 1, 1898, is hereby abrogated.

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