Nanking Treaty of 1842

Nanking Treaty of 1842 

the first of the “unequal treaties” imposed on China, in this instance by Great Britain as a result of China’s defeat in the Anglo-Chinese War of 1840–42. Signed on Aug. 29, 1842, aboard the English ship Cornwallis, the treaty provided for the opening of five Chinese ports (Canton, Amoy, Fuchou, Ningpo, and Shanghai) to English commerce. Import and export tariffs favorable to Great Britain were established, and Hsiang-kang Island (Hong Kong) was transferred to British ownership. In 1843, Great Britain forced China to sign a supplementary agreement to the Nanking Treaty, according to which Great Britain received the right to concessions, rights of extraterritoriality, and most-favored-nation status. In 1844, following the lead of Great Britain, the United States and France also imposed unequal treaties on China.

LITERATURE

Grimm, E. D. Sb. dogovorov i drugikh dokumentov po istorii mezhdunarodnykh otnoshenii na Dal’nem Vostoke (1842–1925). Moscow, 1927.