page_title: Treaty of Saint Petersburg (1881)
section_title: Background
hierarchical_section_title: Treaty of Saint Petersburg (1881) / Background
caption_attribution_description: Deutsch: Positionskarte von Xinjiang, Volksrepublik China Quadratische Plattkarte, N-S-Streckung 135&#160;%. Geographische Begrenzung der Karte: N: 49.4° N S: 34.2° N W: 73.2° O O: 96.7° O English: Location map of Xinjiang, People's Republic of China Equirectangular projection, N/S stretching 135&#160;%. Geographic limits of the map: N: 49.4° N S: 34.2° N W: 73.2° E E: 96.7° E
context_page_description: The Treaty of Saint Petersburg (1881), also known as Treaty of Ili, was the treaty between the Russian Empire and the Qing dynasty that was signed in Saint Petersburg, Russia, on 24 February [O.S. 12 February] 1881.
  It provided for the return to China of the eastern part of the Ili Basin region, also known as Zhetysu, which has been occupied by Russia since 1871 during the Dungan Revolt.
context_section_description: During the Russian conquest of Turkestan, Russia gained control of eastern Kazakhstan up to the current Chinese border. During the Dungan Revolt, China lost control of much of its western territory, and power passed to various factions. In 1871, Russia occupied the Ili territory. There was talk of permanent annexation, but Saint Petersburg declared that it was occupying the territory to protect its citizens. Chinese authority in Xinjiang was re-established by 1877.
  Wanyan Chonghou was sent to Russia to negotiate. In September 1879, he concluded the Treaty of Livadia. Russia would retain the Tekes valley at the southwest end of the Ili Valley and passes over the mountains to the Tarim Basin. China would pay 5 million rubles, and various trade concessions were made. In January 1880 Chonghou returned to Peking and was greeted with indignation. He was declared to have betrayed his country and was arrested and then sentenced to death.
  Zeng Jize was appointed as the new ambassador. Russia refused to negotiate unless Chonghou was released, and it was backed by the other powers. In August 1880 Chonghou was released, and negotiations resumed.
  The Treaty of Saint Petersburg was concluded on 24 February [O.S. 12 February] 1881 and ratified within six months. Two years later (March 1883), Russia evacuated the province. There were some minor border problems, and a final protocol was signed on 31 October [O.S. 19 October] 1883.
  Russia was represented by Nicholas de Giers, the head of the Asiatic Affairs Department of the Foreign Ministry (he would become Minister in 1882), and by Eugene Bützow, Russia's ambassador in China.
caption: The Kulja territory is north of the Tien Shan and south of the Borohoro Mountains. It is the upper valley of the Ili River which flows into Lake Balkash.
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