In 2017, the " Hambantota Port 's management and development agreement" became popular. The content of the agreement is very simple. China paid Sri Lanka US$21.2 billion to obtain 70% equity in Hambantota Port and rented the port for 99 years.
This is really ten years of Hedong, ten years of hexi . China was once forced to sign many unequal treaties and many territories were forced to be rented out. Now we can also rent a piece of land for our own use by relying on our own strength. The difference is that we rent for win-win cooperation, not for possession.
However, careful people seem to have discovered that the term of this lease agreement is also 99 years. Recalling the 99-year term when the Qing government rented land such as New Territories , it seems that there is a red line that cannot be touched.
Treaty
Do you still remember the " Expanding Hong Kong Border Site Special Article " signed by the Qing Dynasty and the United Kingdom in 1898? In the treaty, Britain forced the Qing Dynasty to lease the New Territories to Britain for a period of 100 years. At that time, the Qing Dynasty experienced two Opium Wars and was covered in bruises and its attitude towards the great powers also changed from tough to weak. Logically speaking, the Qing Dynasty should agree to the request for renting for 100 years, but the fact is that the Qing Dynasty tried his best to bite it for 99 years and refused to give up.
The Qing Dynasty only signed for 99 years because the international regulations at that time that the place where it had been leased for more than 100 years was equivalent to ceding it to the other party. So when Britain proposed a 100-year deadline, the Qing Dynasty gritted its teeth and fought to the end, and then there was a basis for the 1997-99-year lease expired and China took back Hong Kong.
But you should note that the year that the Qing Dynasty bites is not simple, and there is wisdom behind it.
There is an old Chinese saying that goes, "retreat as advance." When Britain made such an unreasonable demand, the Qing Dynasty took advantage of Britain's persistence in territoriality and won the greatest benefit for the Qing Dynasty.
First, let’s take a look at the situation at that time.
strong enemy
From 1840 to 1858, the confrontation between China and Britain never stopped, but the result was that the Qing Dynasty signed two treaties, ceding the two lands of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon . At the same time, other colonists obtained various benefits from the Qing Dynasty, and compensation, land cession and other situations have become the norm.
As the saying goes, in the face of absolute power, all resistance is futile. Therefore, after many times, the ruling rulings of the Qing Dynasty no longer planned to use force to solve the problem, but instead used their brains. The Chinese civilization has been continuously spreading for 5,000 years, not relying on force, but on culture and wisdom, and this time is no exception.
Although the Qing Dynasty was bullied by the great powers, they were not one, and each had their own little abacus. In this case, the differentiation policy must be used. In March 1898, France suddenly proposed to establish a coal stack on the southern coast of the Qing Dynasty.
At the same time, although the UK already has Hong Kong and Kowloon, such a small area really cannot satisfy its appetite, so it set its sights on Guangdong and Guangxi, north of Hong Kong. The "Special Article on Expanding the Hong Kong Territory" is also in the drafting stage.
In this way, there was a conflict of interest between Britain and France. As long as the conflict is made rationally, we can mediate from it and win the greatest interests for the Qing Dynasty. , both countries are strong enemies, how should we deal with it?
Wisdom
is very simple. First, agree to one of the parties' requests, and the interests of the other party will be damaged and will inevitably interfere. After repeated weighing the pros and cons, the Qing Dynasty decided to agree to France's demand. As soon as the news came out, the British side really protested, and even Britain itself was worried for the Qing Dynasty that once this opening was opened, other countries would also make similar demands, including Britain itself.
The Qing Dynasty's plan worked. Since the UK did not agree, it was impossible for France to rent Guangzhou Bay and other places. However, France refused to give up, and then pulled Russian in, putting pressure on the Qing Dynasty together.
The addition of Russia forced the Qing Dynasty to change its strategy. You should know that no matter how powerful Britain and France are, they still have to travel a long distance. But Russia is behind it, and can use this as an excuse to attack. This kind of loss is too much.
Therefore, not only did France rent Guangzhou Bay, but the UK also proposed a plan to rent the New Territories in April, and the deadline required is 100 years. At this time, the Qing Dynasty was like a lamb, and everyone wanted to bite a piece of meat from its body. However, greed has to pay the price. The purpose of renting for 100 years is to permanently take away the New Territories.
Since this is the case, it is better to use the plan and take the opportunity to discuss some conditions with the UK.
First, the Qing Dynasty proposed to send Chinese officials in Kowloon City and station Chinese troops.
Second, in some special areas, Chinese officials and citizens must have the right to walk as usual.
Third, the old pier in Kowloon City must allow Chinese military ships, official ships and merchant ships to pass and berth.
Fourth, all residents in the New Territories shall not be forced to move, and their industries shall not be allowed to be transferred to the office.
Fifth, the lease term can only be 99 years, and it cannot be 100 years.
Of course, in addition to the above 5 items, there are many details that are fighting for the Qing Dynasty. So what will be discovered through these conditions? pairs, that is, keep in touch, and the UK cannot completely take the New Territories for itself in the form of culture, immigration, or expulsion. Looking deeper, the Qing Dynasty was waiting for an opportunity, and once it became stronger, it could bring back the New Territories at any time.
Even if you can't get it back, the Chinese culture that spreads in the New Territories after 1999 is still spoken, Chinese is spoken, and Chinese characters are written. As long as the culture continues and resilience is maintained, the New Territories will always be their own.
However, the condition for all this must be that the lease term is within 99 years, so if the Qing Dynasty wants to achieve its goal, it must kill the deadline and not let go. And the UK can't afford to delay it. If other countries come to join in the fun over time, then this matter will be difficult to deal with.
In desperation, the UK finally agreed to these requests. In the UK's view, British Empire is extremely powerful, and these conditions are as if they are useless and seem to be no threat.
That's it, the "Special Article on Expanding Hong Kong Territory" was signed on June 9.
Although the time of the past year is short, it is full of wisdom behind it. Under the powerful force of the great powers, we also saw all the efforts of the Qing Dynasty. Recover Xinjiang, defend Tibet, build a navy, establish the Westernization Affairs Office, strive to mediate and strive for interests.
This is Chinese wisdom. Even if you are in a desperate situation, you can open up new worlds.
Reference Materials "Draft History of Qing Dynasty"
