§ 16. Mr. D. GRENFELLasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs which are the Powers which have accepted the obligations of Article 1 of the Nine-Power Treaty concluded at Washington in 1922; what are the specific obligations contained in this article; and whether the Nine-Power Treaty is still valid?
§ Sir J. SIMONThe obligations of the Nine-Power Treaty were accepted by the United States, Belgium, China, France, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands and Portugal in addition to the British Empire. I will circulate the text of Article 1 in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
The Treaty is still in force.
§ Following is the text :
§ Article 1.—The Contracting Powers (other than China) agree :
- 1. To respect the sovereignty, the independence, and the territorial and administrative integrity of China.
- 2. To provide the fullest and most unembarrassed opportunity to China to develop and maintain for herself an effective and stable Government.
- 3. To use their influence for the purpose of effectually establishing and maintaining the principle of equal opportunity for the commerce and industry of all nations throughout the territory of China.
- 4. To refrain from taking advantage of conditions in China in order to seek special rights or privileges which would abridge the rights of subjects or citizens of friendly States, and from countenancing action inimical to the security of such States.