Treaty of Kyakhta
Kyakhta, Buryatia, Russia, on the border with Mongolia
What happened
The Russian Empire, represented by Count Sava Vladislavich, and Qing China, represented by Tulišen. Russia and Qing China agreed where their border would run between Siberia and Mongolia. The treaty allowed a Russian trade caravan to travel to Beijing every three years and set up permanent border trade at Kyakhta. It also allowed a Russian religious mission in Beijing.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It governed relations between Russia and China until the mid-19th century and spoke of 'eternal peace' between them. Kyakhta became a great trading post, especially for tea.
What came next
The town of Kyakhta was founded soon after and grew rich from trade. It declined after 1860, when the whole frontier opened to trade and new railways bypassed it.
Did you know?
The treaty was written in Russian, Latin and Manchu, but there is no official Chinese version.
Timeline
- 1689Russia and China sign the Treaty of Nerchinsk.
- 23 August 1727The Treaty of Kyakhta is concluded.
- 1768A convention updates part of the treaty.
- 1860The whole Russian-Chinese frontier opens to trade.