[Title] Convention of Tientsin, 1885 (Tianjin Convention)

Signed at Tientsin, in Japanese and Chinese, April 18, 1885 (18th year of Meiji).

(Translation.)

Ito, Ambassador Extraordinary of the Great Empire of Japan, Minister of State and of the Imperial Household, First Class of the Order of the Rising Sun and Count of the Empire;

Li, Special Plenipotentiary of the Great Empire of China, Grand Guardian of the Heir Apparent, Senior Grand Secretary of State, Superintendent of the North Sea Trade, President of the Board of War, Viceroy of Chihli, and Count Shiku-ki of the First Rank;

In obedience to the decrees which each of them respectively is bound to obey, after conference held, have agreed upon a Convention with a view to preserving and promoting friendly relations (between the two Great Empires), the articles of which are set down in order as follows:-

It is hereby agreed that China shall withdraw her troops now stationed in Corea, and that Japan shall withdraw hers stationed therein for the protection of her legation. The specific term for effecting the same shall be four months, commencing from the date of the signing and sealing of this Convention, within which term, they shall respectively accomplish the withdrawal of the whole number of each of their troops, in order to avoid effectively any complications between the respective countries: the Chinese troops shall embark from Masan-po, and the Japanese from the port of Ninsen.

The said respective Powers mutually agree to invite the King of Corea to instruct and drill a sufficient armed force that she may herself assure her public security, and to invite him to engage into his service an officer or officers from amongst those of a third Power, who shall be entrusted with the instruction of the said force. The respective Powers also bind themselves, each to the other, henceforth not to send any of their own officers to Corea for the purpose of giving said instruction.

In case any disturbances of a grave nature occurring in Corea, which necessitates the respective countries or either of them to send troops to Corea, it is hereby understood that they shall give, each to the other, previous notice in writing, of their intention so to do, and that after the matter is settled, they shall withdraw their troops and not further station them there.

Signed and sealed this 18th day of the 4th month of the 18th year of MEIJI (Japanese Calendar).

The 4th day of the 3rd moon of the 11th year of Kocho (Chinese Calendar).

Signed and sealed Ito, Ambassador Extraordinary of the Great Empire of Japan, etc., etc., etc.

Signed and sealed Li, Specific Plenipotentiary of the Great Empire of China, etc., etc., etc.