Treaty of Nanking
Aboard HMS Cornwallis, Yangtze River, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
What happened
Sir Henry Pottinger for Britain, and Keying, Yilibu and Niu Jian for the Qing dynasty of China. After Britain won the First Opium War (1839-1842), the two sides signed a peace treaty aboard a British warship at Nanjing. China gave Hong Kong Island to Britain, opened five ports to British trade and agreed to pay a large sum of money.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It ended the First Opium War. In China it is remembered as one of the 'unequal treaties' forced on the country by foreign powers.
What came next
Hong Kong stayed under British rule for over 150 years. On 1 July 1997 it was handed over to the People's Republic of China.
Did you know?
At the celebration afterwards, the Chinese envoy Keying placed a small portrait of Pottinger's wife on his head, which Pottinger was told was a sign of great respect.
Timeline
- 1841An earlier draft agreement, the Convention of Chuenpi, is rejected.
- 29 August 1842The Treaty of Nanking is signed.
- 1984Britain and China agree on Hong Kong's future.
- 1 July 1997Hong Kong is handed over to China.