Treaty of Whampoa
Whampoa anchorage (Pazhou), Guangzhou, China
What happened
Qiying for Qing China and Théodore de Lagrené for France signed the treaty. Britain had already won trading rights in China under the Treaty of Nanking. On board the French warship L'Archimède at Whampoa, China gave France the same rights: five harbours opened to French merchants, a fixed tariff, French consuls, and French citizens judged under French law. It also allowed Catholic institutions in the treaty ports.
Why it matters
It is counted among the 'unequal treaties' imposed on Qing China. It gave France the same privileges Britain already held.
What came next
Its religious terms became the basis of France's claim to act as protector of Catholics in China.
Did you know?
Whampoa was where the big sailing ships trading at Guangzhou anchored, because they needed deep water.
Timeline
- 1684Sea bans lifted; Whampoa becomes a major anchorage.
- 2 March 1841Battle of Whampoa in the First Opium War.
- 24 October 1844Treaty signed aboard L'Archimède.