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Handout #251 |
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Unfair Treaties in China and xenophobia |
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From 1842, the European powers imposed their
political and economic will on China, in what are called the 'unfair
treaties', which almost always contain religious clauses. The result was
a Chinese xenophobia towards the Europeans, which periodically broke out in
violence.
Treaty of Whampoa (1844) Article 22. All French who arrive at one of the five ports, no matter how long their stay, will be able to rent houses and stores on it themselves. Similarly, the French can establish churches, hospitals, hospices, schools and cemeteries. Documents de lhistoire 1776-1963(1964), Vols I and 2. Treaty of Tien-Tsin (1858) Article 3. Official communications of French diplomatic and consular agents written in French, but to facilitate dealing with them they shall be accompanied by as exact a Chinese translation as possible ... In case of divergence the French text is to be preferred. Article 13. Since the essential object to the Christian religion is to bring men to virtue, members of all the Christian communities shall enjoy entire security for their persons, their properties and the free exercise of their religious practices; and effective protection shall be given to missionaries traveling peacefully into the interior of the country. |
