and His Majesty the Emperor of China, Li Hung-chang, senior tutor to the heir apparent, senior grand secretary of state, minister superintendent of trade for the northern ports of China, viceroy of the province of Chihli and earl of the first rank, and Li Ching-Fong, ex-minister of the diplomatic service, of the second official rank;
who, after having exchanged their full powers, which were found to be in good and proper form, have agreed to the following articles:
Art. 1. China recognises definitively the full and complete independence and autonomy of Korea, and in consequence the payment of tribute and the performance of ceremonies and formalities by Korea to China in derogation of such independence and autonomy shall wholly cease for the future.
Art. 2. China cedes to Japan in perpetuity and sovereignty the following territories together with all fortifications, arsenals and public property therein:
(a) The southern portion of the province of Fêng-Tien within the following boundaries:
The line of demarcation begins at the mouth of the River Yalu and ascends that stream to the mouth of the River Anping; from thence the line runs to Funghwang; from thence to Haiching, from thence to Yingkow, forming a line which describes the southern portion of the territory. The places above named are included in the ceded territory. When the line reaches the River Liao at Yingkow it follows the course of that stream to its mouth, where it terminates. The mid-channel of the River Liao shall be taken as the line of demarcation.
The cession also includes all islands appertaining or belonging to the province of Fêng-Tien situated in the eastern portion of the bay of Liaotung and in the northern part of the Yellow Sea.
(b) The Island of Formosa, together with all islands appertaining or belonging to the said Island of Formosa.
(c) The Pescadores Group, that is to say, all islands lying between the 119th and 120th degrees of longitude east of Greenwich and the 23rd and 24th degrees of north latitude.
Art. 3. The alignments of the frontiers described in the preceding article shall be subject to verification and demarcation on the spot, by a joint commission of delimitation consisting of two or more Japanese and two or more Chinese delegates to be appointed immediately after the exchange of the ratifications of this act. In case the boundaries laid down in this act are found to be defective at any point, either on account of topography or in consideration of good administration, it shall also be the duty of the delimitation commission to rectify the same.