Treaty of Kulja

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The Treaty of Kulja (also spelled Kuldja) was a treaty established in 1851 between China and Russia, opening Kulja and Chuguchak to Sino-Russian trade. The treaty was preceded by a gradual Russian advance throughout the nineteenth century into Kazakstan in direct competition with British efforts to open China.

[edit] Historical context

Cross-border trade became increasingly important to Russia and China in the 19th century. Russian merchants were even trading illegally at Kulja in Xinjiang’s Yili River Valley. In 1803, Tsar Alexander I attempted to negotiate the opening of the entire Sino-Russian border to trade. This effort failed, however, when the Tsar’s representative refused to kow-tow to a tablet representing the Emperor.

The treaty was preceded by a gradual Russian advance throughout the 18th century into Kazakstan. This was in direct competition with British efforts to open China. The 1851 Sino-Russian Treaty of Kulja (modern Yining), opened Kulja and Chuguchak (modern Tacheng) to Russian trade.

The treaty also allowed Russian merchants to trade and Russian consuls to reside in the Xinjiang towns of Yili (Kulja, Yining) and Tarbagatai (Chuguchak, Tacheng) for eight and one half months each year. Russian trade with Xinjiang flourished and Alma Ata was founded in 1854 to become an important link in this trade.

While the treaty primarily legalized ongoing practice, it also recognized the growing Russian presence in Central Asia. China’s defenses on this border had been greatly neglected since the start of the 19th century.

The official text of the treaty was written in Russian, French and Manchu; the treaty did not have an official Chinese version.