§ MR. AKROYDasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, If he can explain why the ports of Kienchow on Hainan, west coast of China, and Nanking, on the Yangtze Kiang, have not been formally opened by a Consul to British trade, according to the Treaty of Tientsin; and, when it is intended so to open them?
§ VISCOUNT ENFIELDSir, the British Treaty of Tientsin contained no provision for opening Nanking to foreign trade. Under the French Treaty we obtained this right by the most-favoured-nation Clause; but Mr. Wade reported in 1868, when the revision of the Treaty was under discussion, that Nanking was hardly in a condition to assert itself as a port of trade," and I believe the question has not since been raised. With regard to Kienchow, on the Island of Hainan, up to last year the prospects of trade there were so uncertain that the expenses of establishing a Consulate was avoided; but an interpreter, with 1611 the rank of Vice Consul, has been sent from Canton during the last 12 months to look after British interests, and in all probability further arrangements will be made when the requirements of the port in question have been more definitely ascertained.