Tientsin Russo-Chinese Treaty of 1858

an agreement governing relations between Russia and China, signed in Tientsin on June 1 (13) by Vice Admiral E. V. Putiatin, acting for Russia, and the Chinese imperial representatives Kuei-liang and Hua-sha-na. The treaty, consisting of 12 articles, affirmed the peace and friendship existing between the two countries and guaranteed personal security and inviolability of property for Russian residents in China and Chinese residents in Russia. It also affirmed Russia’s right to send envoys to Peking.

Under the agreement, Russian vessels were given entry to several Chinese ports, and land trade was allowed without any limitation on the number of persons engaging in such trade, the quantity of goods imported, or the amount of capital employed. Russia was permitted to name consuls to the ports opened to it, and Russian citizens received the rights, accorded also to other foreigners in China, of consular jurisdiction and extraterritoriality.

On the question of boundaries, the agreement stipulated that the portions of the border between China and Russia not yet established would be investigated immediately by observers appointed by both governments and that the conclusion reached with regard to the boundary line would become a supplementary article to the existing treaty. The agreement also recognized Russia’s right to have a religious mission in Peking and provided for the establishment of regular postal service between Kiakhta and Peking. Finally, the treaty gave Russia the most-favored-nation status in China.

The exchange of ratification documents took place on April 12 (24), 1859, in Peking. The Tientsin Russo-Chinese Treaty of 1858 was later supplemented by the Peking Russo-Chinese Treaty of 1860.