Treaties of Tientsin
Tianjin (Tientsin), China
What happened
The Qing dynasty of China signed separate treaties with Russia, the United States, Britain and France. During the Second Opium War, British and French gunboats captured the Taku Forts near Tianjin in May 1858. They opened more ports to foreign trade, allowed foreign diplomats to live in Beijing, and made China pay a large sum of silver.
Why it matters
Why it matters: China counts these among its 'unequal treaties'. They greatly widened foreign access to Chinese trade and land.
What came next
The emperor ratified the treaties in the Convention of Peking in 1860, after the war ended. Several countries later set up their own self-governing districts, called concessions, in Tianjin.
Did you know?
One rule banned China from using a particular word, often understood as 'barbarian', for the four nations' officials and citizens in official papers.
Timeline
- 1856The Second Opium War begins.
- May 1858British and French gunboats capture the Taku Forts.
- June 1858The four treaties are signed at Tianjin.
- 1860The Convention of Peking confirms the treaties.