Treaty of Kyakhta (1727)

The Treaty of Kyakhta (also spelled Kiakhta) was a treaty signed on October 21, 1727 (November 1, 1727, New Style) in Kyakhta, a border town in Siberia, between the Russian Empire and the Qing dynasty of China. It, along with the Treaty of Nerchinsk (1689), regulated relations between Russia and China until the mid-19th century.

The treaty primarily focused on defining the border between Russia and China, particularly in Mongolia. It confirmed and supplemented the earlier Treaty of Nerchinsk, delineating the frontier west of the Argun River that Nerchinsk had left vague. Key achievements of the Treaty of Kyakhta included:

• Defined the border: Established a clearer border between Russia and China through Siberia and Mongolia, using geographical landmarks like the Sayan Mountains and Lake Baikal. This involved the placement of boundary markers.
• Trade regulations: Provided for regulated trade between the two empires. It allowed for duty-free trade for specified merchants and caravans at designated border posts like Kyakhta. It also addressed the issue of runaway serfs and criminals, providing a mechanism for their extradition.
• Diplomatic representation: Allowed for the establishment of Russian Orthodox missions in Beijing, which served not only religious purposes but also acted as a form of informal diplomatic representation.
• Mongolian affairs: Addressed the political status of Mongolia, seeking to maintain a buffer zone between the two empires. It acknowledged Qing suzerainty over Outer Mongolia while recognizing Russian trade interests there.

The Treaty of Kyakhta significantly stabilized relations between Russia and China for over a century, fostering economic and diplomatic exchange. While the unequal treaties of the mid-19th century later superseded it, the Treaty of Kyakhta remains an important historical landmark in Sino-Russian relations.