History of Asia

What was the conditions of Treaty Nanjing?

Terms of the Treaty of Nanjing:

1. Cession of Hong Kong: China ceded the island of Hong Kong to the British Empire "in perpetuity."

2. Opening of Five Ports: China agreed to open five ports—Canton (Guangzhou), Amoy (Xiamen), Foochow (Fuzhou), Ningpo, and Shanghai—to foreign trade.

3. Extraterritoriality: British subjects in China were to be subject to British law, not Chinese law.

4. Most Favored Nation Status: Britain was to be granted any privileges that China granted to other foreign nations in the future.

5. Tariffs: China agreed to a fixed tariff rate of 5% on imports and exports, which the British considered favorable to their interests.

6. Payment of an Indemnity: China was to pay Britain a substantial indemnity of 21 million silver dollars as compensation for the Opium War.

7. Legalization of Opium Trade: The treaty did not address the issue of the opium trade, which continued despite its prohibition by the Chinese government.