The Anglo-Chinese Boundary 1898

Report by Mr. Stewart Lockhart on the Extension of the Colony of Hongkong; October 8, 1898.

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BOUNDARY LINE.

The boundary line indicated on the map attached to the Convention (Map I.) is the shortest line from sea to sea that could be found, measuring on the map only eleven (11) miles. Following the river from Deep Bay to Sham Chun and the road from the latter place to Starling Inlet, the actual distance is about thirteen (13) miles.

This boundary line is open to great objection. It cuts in two the rich valley of which Sham Chun is the centre, and, while excluding that town, divides the villages in the valley hitherto linked together by family ties and common interests, and at present separated, so far as the river extends, by about 100 feet of a tidal river, and onwards from Sham Chun to Starling Inlet by no boundary whatever. All these villages regard Sham Chun as their central and most important market, where they dispose of their goods and make their purchases, and much difficulty and friction would be certain to arise if the villages on one side of the stream or road come under British jurisdiction whilst those on the other remain under Chinese rule.

View of the Sham Chun River (The hills are on British Territory, the valley on Chinese Territory),
by The National Archives UK

Another important reason why Sham Chun should not be excluded from the area to be leased is that it is the seat of the Head Council of the local as opposed to the Imperial Government, represented by the district magistrate, who resides at Namt‘au. This Head Council controls all the village and other tribunals through-out the Tung Ló or Eastern Division of the San On district, which is that portion of the district included in the Convention, and exercises great influence in every village.

Again, it must be remembered that the chief industry of the villages in the valleys is the cultivation of rice, for which an ample and constant supply of water is necessary. If the boundary line indicated on the Convention map be followed, endless dispute as to water rights between villages under British and Chinese jurisdiction are certain to ensue; dissatisfaction will be created; and the task of government will be rendered more difficult.

The proposed boundary would also render smuggling an easy matter, which, in view of the pledge given to China, ought to be avoided.

The disadvantages of having a Chinese town just outside British territory have been experienced in the case of Kowloon, which for years has been a source of never-ceasing trouble and constant friction between the Governments of Hongkong and China. History will certainly repeat itself if Sham Chun be allowed to remain in Chinese territory.

In the opinion of all those acquainted with the country, whether belonging to the naval, military, or civil services, it is essential, in the interests of good government, and in order to maintain friendly relations with China, that the town of Sham Chun should be included in the lease.

The boundary between two countries, which leads to least friction, is either a broad and deep river or the ridges of hills forming the watersheds of different valleys. In the San On district there is no broad river such as would form a suitable boundary. But there are ridges of hills which could be utilised for that purpose.

This proposed line, which includes the important town of Sham Chun and the land to the north and east of Mirs Bay and to the west of Deep Bay, forms a good, natural boundary, running along the crest of the hills, is easy of defence, and would help to check smuggling. It renders unnecessary the separation of villages hitherto united, removes all danger of disputes about water rights, and obviates any interference with the present system of local self-government, on the support of which the success of British administration in the new territory must to a great extent depend.

TO: The Right Honourable JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN, M.P.

SIR,

1.      I have the honour to inform you that Mr. WONG TS`ÜN-SHIN, who was deputed by the Viceroy of Canton to assist in the delimitation of the northern boundary of the Kowloon extension, arrived on the 10th instant, and on the 11th had an interview with Mr. STEWART LOCKHART. He returned to Canton on the 12th instant to consult the Viceroy and came back on the 14th instant when he again met Mr. STEWART LOCKHART with a proposal that the Sham Chun river should form the boundary. This was the extreme limit to which he was permitted to go.

2.           He came here with Mr. STEWART LOCKHART and we discussed the matter for over two hours. I endeavoured to show him that it would be to the mutual advantage of China and this Government to have Sham Chun and Shat'aukok included in the leased territory, and pointed out to him that, if they were, they would still be open for the Chinese to as great an extent as at present, while if they are not ceded they will be closed to the Chinese inhabitants of this Colony who have been in the habit of resorting to them ; but it was clear that he had orders not to grant them. I then thought it well to have the river boundary formally agreed to as a provisional measure, leaving our pressing demand for the boundary of the base of the hills to the North open for further consideration at Peking. I wrote an agreement [Enclosure No.1] which was signed by the Chinese Commissioner and Mr. STEWART LOCKHART. I have explained the situation fully to Sir CLAUDE MACDONALD [Her Majesty's Minister in China since 1896 and the British negotiator for the Second Convention of Peking] and sent him a copy of the map of which I enclose a copy [map not available], being the only good survey of the boundary district that has yet been made. The provisional boundary is marked in red, the proposed boundary in blue. I have no doubt that it would be a great convenience to this Colony to have the two towns named included. But pending the further negotiations on the point the fixing of the boundary to the river will enable me to take over the territory which I shall do as soon as the necessary preparations are complete for having a police force and a magistrate there. I shall inform you by telegraph when I can fix the date.

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5.           I enclose for your information copy of a letter addressed to me by Mr. STEWART LOCKHART and of its enclosures relative to the progress of his negotiations with the delimitation Commissioner appointed by the Chinese Government.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient, humble Servant,

HENRY A. BLAKE, Governor, &c.

ENCLOSURE No. 1.

(Agreement referred to in the Governor's despatch of 17th March, 1899.)

It is agreed that for the present the river past Sham Chun to Shat'aukok shall be the boundary to its source North-West of Shat'aukok and thence to Mirs Bay immediately to the West of Shat'aukok; the North bank of the river referred to being the boundary. The question of including Sham Chun and Shat'aukok is to remain open for further reference to Peking.

J. H. STEWART LOCKHART.

王存善 i.e., WONG TS’ÜN-SHIN.

14th March, 1899.

 His Excellency SIR HENRY A. BLAKE, G.C.M.G., Governor of Hongkong.

MEMORANDUM

(Referred to in Mr. Stewart Lockhart's Letter of the 20th March, 1899.)

The Northern Boundary commences at the point of high water-mark in Mirs Bay where the meridian of 114°.30' East cuts the land and follows that high water-mark to the point marked with a peg immediately to the West of the market town locally known as Tung Wo Hü and sometimes called Shat'aukok. [see First marker of the The Anglo Chinese Boundary 1898 [1899- ]]

Mr Stewart Lockhart, the British Commissioner, and Mr Wong, the Chinese Commissioner,
fixing the first boundary mark in the shore at Starling Inlet., by The National Archives UK

It then proceeds straight inland for a short distance till it meets a narrow path between fields on the right and a tidal flat on the left. A peg was driven in to the East of the path, and it was agreed that the whole of the path is within British territory but may be used by the inhabitants of both countries. The line follows this path until it reaches a corner of the market town of Tung Wo Hü where another peg was driven in and then proceeds until it comes to the bed of a wide stream which is at present dry. It was agreed that the boundary should follow the centre of this river bed. The land to the right of the river, that is, the land on the left bank being within Chinese territory; the land to the left of the river, that is, the land on the right bank being within British territory.

This line along the middle of the river's bed continues until a road leading to the village Rang Han is reached. A peg was driven in at the point where the boundary line leaves the river and follow’s this road. It was agreed that the whole of the road is within British territory but may be used by the inhabitants of both countries. This road leads up a steep ravine crossing and re-crossing the stream. It was agreed that the waters of this stream whether within the British or the Chinese boundary should be available for the inhabitants of both countries. This road passes through a gap about 500 feet above sea level forming the dividing ridge between the Shat'aukok and Sham Chun valleys. The boundary was marked at this point with a peg.

The Delimitation Commission ascending the Gap from Starling Inlet., by The National Archives UK

It was agreed that the road from this gap should be the boundary and is within British territory but may be used by the inhabitants of both countries. This road passes down the right-hand side of the ravine and has a stream on the left running to Kang T'o’. At the foot of the ravine this road crosses a larger stream coming from the direction of Ng Tung Shán and re-crosses it within a distance of 100 yards. This road passes Kang T'o’ village on the right and reaches the Sham Chun river at a distance of about a quarter of a mile below Kang T`o’.

The Delimitation Commission at the source of the Sham Chun River., by The National Archives UK

It was agreed that up to this point this road is within British territory but may be used by the inhabitants of both countries. It was also agreed that the waters of the stream running from Ng Tung Shan referred to above should be available for cultivators of land in both territories. A peg was driven in to mark the point where this road as a boundary ended.

The boundary then follows the right or northern bank of the river generally known as the Sham Chun river down to Deep Bay, all the river and the land to the south being within British territory. The Western, Eastern, and Southern boundaries are as laid down in the Convention, the whole of the Island of Lantao being within British territory.

The waters of Mirs Bay and Deep Bay are included in the area leased to Great Britain.

Signed in the Council Chamber, Hongkong, this 19th day of March, 1899.

J. H. STEWART LOCKHART.

王存善, i.e., WONG TS‘ÜN-SHIN.

In the presence of

TSOI YEUK-SHAN.

KI WAI