treaty port

noun

, History/Historical.

1. any of the ports in China, Japan, or Korea through which trade with foreign countries was permitted by special treaty.

treaty port

noun

1. (in China, Japan, and Korea during the second half of the 19th and first half of the 20th century) a city, esp a port, in which foreigners, esp Westerners, were allowed by treaty to conduct trade

Word History and Origins

Origin of treaty port¹

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

Connected with Anping by rail (26 m.) and laying south of it is Takau, a treaty port.

From Project Gutenberg

At every treaty port there are one or more foreign settlements, maintained under foreign laws.

From Project Gutenberg

I have met this “conservative” pro-opiumist many times on coasting and river steamers and in treaty port hotels.

From Project Gutenberg

Hankow, a very important Treaty Port, is almost exactly in the centre of China.

From Project Gutenberg

Yo Chow, the treaty port of the province, stands at the outlet of the river Siang into this lake.

From Project Gutenberg