CONTROL OF WEI-HAI-WEI

Taranaki Daily News, 7 May 1930, Page 9

CONTROL OF WEI-HAI-WEI

RESTORATION TO CHINESE.

BRITAIN SIGNS AGREEMENT. British Wireless. Rugby, May 5. The terms are now issued of the convention recently signed by Sir Miles Lampson, British Minister in China, and Dr. Wang, Chinese Foreign Minister, for the restoration in full sovereignty to China of the territory of Wei-hai-wei, leased to the British King under convention of July 1, .1898. The convention provides that the British garrison stationed within the territory shall be withdrawn within one month of its’ entry into force, which shall take place on its ratification on October J, 1930. The transfer of the administration and of public properties shall take 'place on the same day, and existing administration regulations will as far as possible be maintained. All title deeds issued to Chinese owners by the British administration of Wei-hai-wei shall be recognised as being of the same validity as during British administration. All title deeds issued to persons other than Chinese shall be exchanged for Chinese deeds of perpetual lease, and all leases issued by the British administration will be recognised.

Should the Chinese Government decide to close the port of Wei-hai-wei to foreign vessels and trade, with a view to utilising it exclusively as a naval base, the interests of foreign property owners and leaseholders will be bought at a fair rate of compensation agreed upon between the Governments of China and the United Kingdom, who will appoint a joint commission for determining the amount of this compensation in each case.

Unless the National Government of China decides to close the port with this, object, it will maintain it as an area" of international residence and trade, and will lease to the British Government for 30 years, with the option of renewal, certain lands and buildings for the requirements of the British Consulate and the public interests of residents.

All decisions in the British courts pronounced before the rendition shall be considered to have the force of those pronounced by the Chinese courts. Pending a general application of the system of local government in China, Chinese local authorities will ascertain the views of foreign residents in Wei-hai-wei in such municipal matters as may affect their welfar” and interests.

The two plenipotentiaries also signed an agreement by which the Chinese Government will lend to the British Government free of charge as a sanatorium and summer resort for the use of the British Navy, certain buildings and facilities on Liu-kung-tao Island, in Wei-hai-wei Bay, for 10 years with the option of renewal.