Battles & Campaigns · 1876
Chefoo Convention
Chefoo (Yantai), Shandong, China
What happened
In 1875 a British official, Augustus Margary, was killed in south-west China, causing a diplomatic crisis. The two sides settled it at Chefoo. China agreed to compensation and an apology mission, and Britain gained more trade rights and new treaty ports.
Why it matters
China's government lists it as an 'unequal treaty'. But China's apology mission to Britain became its first permanent embassy abroad.
What came next
China ratified it at once, but Britain waited until 1885, because opium merchants and the government of British India objected.
Did you know?
Britain took almost nine years to ratify a treaty its own envoy had signed.
Timeline
- 1875Margary Affair.
- 21 Aug 1876Chefoo Convention signed.
- Soon afterChina ratifies the convention.
- Jul 1885Britain ratifies the convention.