Directory_and_Chronicle_1935 — Page 161

THE SINO-BELGIAN TREATY.

On August 4, 1928, Dr. C T. Wang notified Baron Guillaume, the Belgian Chargé d'Affaires at Peiping, that the Sino-Belgian Treaty of November 2, 1864 had long expired, and that for the purpose of readjusting the relations between the two countries the early conclusion of a new treaty was necessary. Dr. Wang suggested that

that negotiations be opened in Nanking and

in on November 22, 1928, the following Treaty was concluded between China and Belgium:

Preliminary Treaty of Amity and Commerce between the Republic of

China and the Union of Belgium and Luxemburg.

The National Government of the Republic of China and His Majesty the King of the Belgians, acting in his name and in the name of Her Royal Highness the Grand Duchess of Luxemburg in virtue of existing agreements, being mutually animated by a desire to further strengthen the ties of friend- ship already happily existing between China and the Union of Belgium and Luxemburg, have decided to conclude a Preliminary Treaty of Amity and Commerce and have, for this purpose, named as their plenipotentiaries that is to say:

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

public of China:

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

National Government of the Republic of China;

His Majesty the King of the Belgians:

Baron J. Guillaume, Charge d'Affaires ad interim of Belgium in

China;

Who, having exchanged their full powers found to be in due and proper form, have agreed upon and concluded the following Articles:

Article I.-The two High Contracting Parties recognize that, in the matter of customs and all related matters, they are on a footing of perfect equality, and on the basis of this principle they agree that such matters shall be re- gulated exclusively by their respective national laws.

It is further agreed that, in respect of all questions of customs as well as all questions relating thereto, neither of the two High Contracting Parties shall be subject, in the territory of the other, to a treatment less favourable than that accorded to any other country.

In no case shall the nationals of one of the High Contracting Parties be compelled to pay, in the territory of the other, with respect to the importation as well as exportation of merchandise, customs dues, transit taxes, or taxes of any other kind other or higher than those which are paid by the nationals or the nationals of any other country.

Article II The nationals of each of the two High Contracting Parties shall be subject, in the territory of the cther Party, to the laws and the jurisdiction of the law courts of that Party.

Article III. The two High Contracting Parties shall as soon as possible enter into negotiations with a view to the conclusion of a Treaty of Com- merce and Navigation based upon the principle of reciprocity and equality of treatment.

Article IV The present Treaty is written in Chinese, French and English; in case of any difference of interpretation, the English text shall be held to be authoritative.