§ 29. Sir KINGSLEY WOODasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make a statement as to the rendition of Wei-hai-Wei to China?
§ 37. Mr. MALONEasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will lay before the House the text of the agreement for the rendition of the Wei-hai-Wei territory which is stated to have been concluded with the Chinese Government?
Mr. A. HENDERSONNegotiations for the rendition of Wei-hai-Wei were begun as a result of the offer to return 616 it to China made at the Washington Conference in 1922, and, after many interruptions owing to changes of government and to civil war in China, have now, I am glad to say, reached a definite conclusion. The general effect of two formal instruments signed at Nanking on 18th April last is that the territory shall be restored in full sovereignty to China on the 1st October next, the British garrison being withdrawn within one month of that date. The port of Wei-hai-Wei will be maintained as an area of international residence and trade, unless the Chinese Government decide to utilise it exclusively as a naval base, and the interests of Chinese and foreign holders of title deeds issued by the British administration have been fully safeguarded against all eventualities; and provision is made for the consultation of foreign residents in such municipal matters as may directly affect their welfare and interests. The Chinese Government will, moreover, loan to His Majesty's Government free of charge, for the use of His Majesty's Navy, certain buildings and other facilities for a period of 10 years, with the option of renewal by agreement between the two Governments.
The text of these agreements will be laid before the House when authentic copies have been received from His Majesty's Minister at Peking. I hope to be able to do this before the end of the month. Meanwhile, a full summary of the provisions of these instruments will be circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Sir K. WOODDoes the latter part of the right hon. Gentleman's answer mean that our ships will be able to visit the harbour as heretofore in the summer months, and have full use of it?
Mr. HENDERSONAs far as I recollect, that is so, but, if the right hon. Gentleman desires definite information, I shall be glad if he will put a question down.
§ Sir ASSHETON POWNALLWill the members of the families of the garrison in Hong Kong be able to use Wei-hai-Wei in the summer time for health reasons, as in the past?
§ Lieut.-Colonel FREMANTLEHas the right hon. Gentleman taken note of the fact that Chinese residents, farmers and local people, strongly hope that the British Government will retain possession of Wei-hai-Wei until more settled conditions obtain?
§ Colonel HOWARD-BURYTo which Government in China is it being handed over—the Northern or the Southern?
§ Following is the summary:
§ On 18th April, at Nanking, Sir Miles Lampson, K.C.M.G., C.B., M.V.O., and Dr. Cheng Ting Ti Wang, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China, signed a convention for the restoration in full sovereignty to China of the territory of Wei-hai-Wei, leased to His Britannic Majesty under the Convention of 1st July, 1898. The Convention provides that the British garrisons stationed within the territory shall be withdrawn within one month of its entry into force, which shall take place on its ratification on 1st October, 1930. The transfer of administration and of public properties shall take place on the same day, and the existing administrative 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 the 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 residents and trade with a view to utilising it exclusively as a naval base, the interests of the foreign property owners and lease-holders will be bought out at a fair compensation to be 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 decide to close the port of Wei-hai-Wei with the above-mentioned object, they will maintain it as an area of international residence and trade and will lease to His Majesty's Government for a period of 30 years, with the option of renewal, certain lands and buildings for 618 the requirements of the British Consulate and public interests of the residents.
§ All decisions in British Courts pronounced before the rendition of the territory shall be considered to have the force of those pronounced by Chinese Courts.
§ Pending the general application of a system of local self-government in China, the Chinese Local Authorities will ascertain the views of foreign residents at Wei-hai-Wei, in such municipal matters as may directly affect their welfare and interests.
§ The two Plenipotentiaries also signed an agreement by which the Chinese Government will loan to His Majesty's Government, free of charge, as a sanatorium and summer resort for the use of His Majesty's Navy, a certain number of buildings and facilities on the island Liukungtao, in the Bay of Wei-hai-Wei, for a period of 10 years, with the option of renewal on the same terms by agreement, or on such other terms as may be agreed upon between the two Governments.