Along with the negotiations concerning the enforcement of the rendition of Japanese exclusive concessions, which were already agreed upon and signed in accordance with the Agreement between Japan and China Concerning the Rendition of Concessions and Relinquishment of Extra-territorial Rights concluded on January 9 of this year, the Japanese Government has had its Ambassador to China conduct negotiations with the Foreign Minister of the Nanking Government of China concerning the restoration of administrative rights over the Peking Legation Quarters by the Nanking Government in accordance with Article 5 of the said agreement. A complete accord of views having been reached between them, an agreement concerning the enforcement of the restoration of the Peking Legation Quarters and attached terms of understanding were signed today, March 22.
With respect to the enforcement of the restoration of the Peking Legation Quarters in accordance with Article 5 of the Agreement Between Japan and China Concerning the Rendition of Concessions and Relinquishment of Extra-territorial Rights which was concluded at Nanking on the ninth day of the first month of the eighteenth year of Showa corresponding to the ninth day of the first month of the thirty-second year of the Republic of China, the undersigned have discussed and decided upon the following terms :
Article 1. The enforcement of the restoration of administrative rights over the Peking Legation Quarters by the Government of the Republic of China shall take place on the thirtieth day of the third month of the eighteenth year of Showa, corresponding to the thirty-second year of the Republic of China.
Article 2. Such establishments in the Legation Quarters as roads, bridges, sewers, canals and walls shall be transferred to China without compensation simultaneously with the enforcement of the present agreement.
Article 3. The Government of the Republic of China shall respect and reaffirm the rights and interests with respect to real estate and others which the Japanese Government and nationals have in the Legation Quarters on the basis of the existing conditions and shall take the necessary measures for this purpose.
Terms of Understanding
(1) Documents and records concerning the administration of the Legation Quarters which are in the custody of the Administrative Commission
shall be delivered to the Chinese authorities of the localities concerned as soon as possible as necessity arises.
(2) The Chinese authorities of the localities concerned shall take over the police and other Chinese staff and employees whom the Administrative Commission have hitherto had in its employment.
(3) The public establishments to be transferred under Article 2 of the present agreement shall include the fixed establishments attached to them and equipment and materials for their management and maintenance.
(4) Concrete matters pertaining to Article 3 of the agreement shall be decided by consultation between the Japanese and Chinese authorities of the localities concerned.
(5) The Government of the Republic of China shall, in administering the area following the enforcement of the restoration of the administrative rights over the Legation Quarters, maintain at least the standard hitherto maintained with respect to the domicile, occupation and welfare of Japanese nationals resident in the area.
(6) For the purpose of defraying a part of the necessary expenses for the administration of the area by China, following the enforcement of the restoration of the administrative rights over the Legation Quarters, the Japanese Government shall, for the period up to the settlement of the question of taxation arising from extra-territorial rights which Japan at present enjoys in the Republic of China, contribute a reasonable amount of Japanese donation in accordance with the previous practice and shall collect from the resident Japanese nationals a reasonable amount of levies which they have hitherto borne and transmit the same to the Chinese authorities of the localities concerned.