1933

KOWLOON EXTENSION AGREEMENT, 1898
Whereas it has for many years past been recognised that an extension of Hong¬
kong territory is necessary for the proper defence and protection of the Colony,
It has now been agreed between the Governments of Great Britain and China
that the limits of British territory shall be enlarged under lease to the extent
indicated generally on the annexed map.
The exact boundaries shall be hereafter fixed when proper surveys have been
made by officials appointed by the two Govern merits. The term of this lease shall
be ninety-nine years.
It is at the same time agreed that within the City of Kowloon the Chinese
officials now stationed there shall Continue to exercise jurisdiction, except so far as
may be inconsistent ^ith the military requirements for the defence of Hongkong.
Within the remainder of the newly-leased territory Great Britain shall have sole
jurisdiction. Chinese officials and people shall be allowed, as heretofore, to use the
road from Kowloon to Hsinan.
It is further agreed that the existing landing-place near Kowloon city shall be
reserved for the convenience of Chinese men-of-war, merchant and passengers vessels,
which may come and go and lie there at their pleasure^ and for the convenience of
movements of the officials and people within the city.
When, hereafter, China constructs a railway to the boundary of the Kowloon
territory under British control, arrangements shall be discussed.
It is further understood that there will be no expropriation or expulsion of the
inhabitants of the district included within the extension, and that if land is required
for public offices, fortifications, or the like official purposes, it shall be bought at
a fair price.
If cases of extradition of criminals occur they shall be dealt with in accordance
with the existing treaties between Great Britain and China and the Hongkong
Regulations.
The area leased by Great Britain includes the waters of Mirs Bay and Deep
Bay, but it is agreed that Chinese vessels of war, whether neutral or otherwise,
shall retain the right to use those waters.
This Convention shall come into force on the first day of July, eighteen hundred
and ninety-eight, being the thirteenth day of the fifth moon of the twenty-fourth year
of Kwang Hsu. It shall be ratified by the Sovereigns of the two countries, and the
ratifications shall be exchanged in London as soon as possible.
In witness whereof the undersigned, duly authorised thereto by their respective
Governments, have signed the present agreement.
Done at Peking in quadruplicate (four copies in English and in Chinese) the
ninth day of June, in the year of Our Lord eighteen hundred and ninety-eight, being
the twenty-first day of the fourth moon of the twenty-fourth year of Kwang Hsu.
Claude M. Macdonald.
Li Hung-chang \ Members of
Hsu Ting K’uei, > Tsung-li Yamen.