Usually, it is ''conceded'' (i.e. allowed or even surrendered) by a weak(er) country to a stronger power. For example, the politically weakened and militarily helpless empire of China in the 19th century was forced to sign several so-called unequal treaties (by analogy with private contract law, their validity has been contested because of force majeure) by which it gave, among other rights, territorial concessions to numerous colonial powers, European as well as Japan.
However, just as with permanent sales of territory, there are cases when concession have been entered upon voluntarily by a power which could have resisted the demand, believing the arrangement to their mutual interest, or as part of a more complexly balanced deal.
In the many cases where the terms of the contract (be it in the form of a treaty between states) provides for similar terms as an ordinary property lease, notably a term limited in time and usually an indemnity sum, the territory can be called more precisely a or '''leased territory'''.
The term is not to be confused with ', which applies to any clause in a treaty whereby a power renounces control over any territory, usually in the form of a full and indefinite transfer, often without any indemnity.
''The following (probably incomplete) listing is arranged by the nationality of the concession-holder(s), whether the actual (present) state, its precursor, or an entity formally mandated by it or de facto emanating from it or its crown.''
- While Hong Kong was ceded to Britain by the Empire Of China in 1841-42, and on 24 October 1860 the Kowloon Peninsula and Stonecutters Island were ceded by China at the Treaty Of Peking (British annexation 4 February 1861 ), on 9 June 1898 the New Territories (comprising areas north of Kowloon along with 230 small islands) were leased from China for 99 years as a concession. On 19 December 1984 the UK agreed to restore all of Hong Kong -including the territories cede in perpeuity- to China on 1 July 1997 .
- 20 November 1846 a British concession in Shangai was established (after 16 June 1842 - 29 August 1842 British occupation of Shanghai, since 17 November 1843 a Treaty Port); 27 November 1848 this Concession was expanded, but on 21 September 1863 (after the 1862 proposal to make Shanghai an independent "free city" was rejected) an International Settlement in Shangai is created by union of the American and British concessions (consummated December 1863).
- The British concession in Tientsin , in which the trade centred, was situated on the right bank of the river Peiho below the native city, occupying some 200 acres. It was held on a lease in perpetuity granted by the Chinese government to the British Crown, which subletted plots to private owners in the same way as at Hanko w. The local management was entrusted to a municipal council organized on lines similar to those which obtain at Shanghai.
- on 1 July 1898, Liukung Island (in Weihaiwei Bay, since 30 January 1895 - 1898 occupied by Japan) and Weihaiwei are leased by Britain from imperial China, till on 1 October 1930 Weihaiwei is returned to China; it retains a separate administration till 1938.
- Kwangchowan (Kwangchowwan) since 27 May 1898 French leased territory (under a French Administrateur , subordinated to Tonkin in French Indochina, now in Vietnam; June 1940 - February 1943 loyal to Free France) as territoire de Kouang-Tchéou-Wan , till in February 1943 the French concession is relinquished to the Japanese sponsored Chinese National Government by Vichy France (not recognized by the Free French or the Republic of China), February 1943 - September 1945 occupied by Japan; on 28 February 1946 formally returned to China by France.
- 6 April 1849 French concession in Shanghai (since 17 November 1843 a Treaty Port ) established; 17 July 1854 Municipal Council established.
- French Concession In Tianjin (then known as Tientsin)
- French concession in Hankou
- French concession in Guangzhou (then known as Canton)
- Qingdao, on 6 March 1898 leased 'for 99 years' to Germany (as Kiaochow = Tsingtao) Bay ( Kiautschou ) already occupied by Germany since 14 November 1897); on 23 August 1914 imperial China cancels the German lease, only to find it since 7 November 1914 occupied by Japan.
- one the Concessions In Tianjin (then known as Tientsin)
- in Tientsin ( Tianjin ) on 7 September 1901 a concession was ceded to Italy by imperial China, since 7 June 1902 the Tientsin Italian concession (administered by Rome's Consul), since 10 September 1943 occupied by Japan; in 1943 Mussolini's (Fascist, virtually fictitious) Italian Social Republic relinquished concession to the Japanese-sponsored Chinese National Government (recognized by Kingdom of Italy nor Republic of China), on 10 February 1947 formally ceded to China by Italy.
- Kwantung (Port Arthur, Lüshun ), formerly Russian concession (see below) from imperial China, until 2 January 1905 when occupied by Japan, since 5 September 1905 Japanese leased territory (Kwantung Territory), Port Arthur was renamed Ryojun , since 12 April 1919 Civil administration replaces military; since 22 August 1945 occupied by Soviet Union, September 1945 - 11 October 1955 under joint rule by Soviet Union and (then fellow communist People's Republic of) China, till on 11 October 1955 fully re-incorporated into China.
- one the Concessions In Tianjin (then known as Tientsin)
- Macau was leased from the empire of China
- Kwantung (Port Arthur), since 27 December 1897 occupied by Russia, on 27 March 1898 Port Arthur became the Russian leased territory of Kwantung (Kvantunskaya Oblast , i.e. imperial province), since 12 August 1903 seat of Russian Viceroyalty of the Far East, until 2 January 1905 when occupied by Japan, since 5 September 1905 Japanese leased territory (Kwantung Territory)
- one the Concessions In Tianjin (then known as Tientsin)
- 1848/54 American concession in Shanghai (since 17 November 1843 a Treaty Port ) established, till on 21 September 1863 (after the 1862 Proposal to make Shanghai an independent "free city" was rejected) an International Settlement in Shangai is created by union of the American and British concessions (consummated December 1863); see below
- Guantanamo Bay - leased from Cuba (which now disputes the lease) under 1903 and 1934 treaties in perpetuity; no civilian administration, only military command
- 21 September 1863 (after the 1862 Proposal to make Shanghai an independent "free city" was rejected) an International Settlement in Shangai is created by union of the American and British concessions (consummated December 1863); 1896 Concession expanded.
On 7 July 1927 a Chinese city government of Greater Shanghai was formally established.
In January/February 1931 the Japanese occupy the Hongkew district, and 9 November 1937 the Chinese city of Shanghai, but only on 8 December 1941 Japanese troops occupy the International Settlement (but not the French concession); it is dissolved by Japan in 1942.
February 1943 Settlement officially abolished by the U.S. and Britain.
September 1945 last territory restored to China.
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