Extradition. If cases of extradition of criminals occur, they shall be dealt with in accordance with the existing Treaties between Great Britain and China and the Hong Kong Regulations. The area leased to Great Britain as shown on the annexed map, includes the waters of Mirs Bay and Deep Bay, but Chinese war it is agreed that Chinese vessels of war, whether ships. neutral or otherwise, shall retain the right to use those waters. This Convention shall come into force on the first day of July, eighteen hundred and ninety-eight, being the thirteenth day of the fifth moon of the twenty-fourth year of Kuang Hsü. It shall be ratified by the Sovereigns of the two countries, and the ratifications shall be exchanged in London as soon as possible. In witness whereof the Undersigned, duly authorized thereto by their respective Governments, have signed the present Agreement. Done at Peking in quadruplicate (four copies in English and four in Chinese) the ninth day of June, in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and ninety-eight, being the twenty-first day of the fourth moon of the twenty-fourth year of Kuang Hsü. [L. S.] [L. S.] CLAUDE M. MACDONALD. (Seal of the Chinese Plenipotentiary.) No. 13. GREAT BRITAIN. CONVENTION BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN AND CHINA FOR THE LEASE OF WEI-HAI WEI.a SIGNED AT PEKING, JULY 1, 1898. In order to provide Great Britain with a suitable naval harbour in North China and for the better protection of British commerce in the neighbouring seas, the Government of His Majesty the Emperor of China agree to lease to the Government of Her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain and Ireland, Wei-hai Wei, in the province of Shantung and the adjacent waters, for so long a period as Port Arthur shall remain in the occupation of Russia. Territory leased. The territory leased shall comprise the Island of Liu-kung and all other islands in the Bay of Wei-hai Wei, and a belt of land 10 English miles wide along the entire coast line of the Bay of Wei-hai Wei. Within the above-mentioned territory leased Great Britain shall have sole jurisdiction. Great Britain shall have, in addition, the right to erect fortifications, station troops, or take any other measures necessary Right to fortify. for defensive purposes, at any points on or near the coast of the region east of the meridian 121° 40′ east of Greenwich, and to acquire on equitable compensation within that territory such sites as may be necessary for water supply, communications, and hospitals. Within that zone Chinese administration will not be interfered with, but no troops other than Chinese or British shall be allowed therein. Jurisdictional rights. It is also agreed that within the walled city of Wei-hai Wei, Chinese officials shall continue to exercise jurisdiction except so far as may be inconsistent with naval and military requirements for the defence of the territory leased. It is further agreed that Chinese vessels of war, whether neutral or otherwise, shall retain the right to use the waters herein leased to Great Britain. Rights of Chinese war ships. a British Parliamentary Blue Book, China No. 1 (1899), p. 199. For limits of territory leased, see map facing p. 45, supra. It is further understood that there will be no expropriation or expulsion of the inhabitants of the territory herein Expropriation specified, and that if land is required for fortifications, public officers, or any official or public purpose, it of natives. shall be bought at a fair price. This Convention shall come into force on signature. It shall be ratified by the Sovereigns of the two countries, and the ratifications shall be exchanged in London as soon as possible. In witness whereof the undersigned, duly authorized thereto by their respective Governments, have signed the present agreement. CLAUDE M. MACDONALD. PRINCE CH'ING, Senior Member of the Tsung-li Yamên, President of Board of Punishments. Done at Peking in quadruplicate (four copies in English and four in Chinese) the 1st day of July in the year of our Lord 1898, being the 13th day of the 5th moon of the 24th year of Kuang-hsü. |