Treaty of Nanjing

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• University of Southern California - US-China Institute - Treaty of Nanjing 1842
• University of Canterbury - Pacific Voyages -The Treaty of Nanking 1841

While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

• University of Southern California - US-China Institute - Treaty of Nanjing 1842
• University of Canterbury - Pacific Voyages -The Treaty of Nanking 1841

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Treaty of Nanjing, (August 29, 1842) treaty that ended the first Opium War, the first of the unequal treaties between China and foreign imperialist powers. China paid the British an indemnity, ceded the territory of Hong Kong, and agreed to establish a “fair and reasonable” tariff. British merchants, who had previously been allowed to trade only at Guangzhou (Canton), were now permitted to trade at five “treaty ports” and with whomever they pleased (see Canton system). The treaty was supplemented in 1843 by the British Supplementary Treaty of the Bogue, which allowed British citizens to be tried in British courts and granted Britain any rights in China that China might grant to other countries. See also British East India Company; Lin Zexu.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen.