Political dimension of Russia's consulates in Outer China in the second half of the XIXth century - the early XXth century

The article deals with objectives and results of Russian consulates' politicalwork in Outer China (Xinjiang, Outer Mongolia and Manchuria) in the middle of the XIX- early XX century from the perspectives of nationalsecurity, regional security and the "power balance" in the international system.The majority of the consulates in Western China and Outer Mongolia were established in the second half of the XIX century, in accordancewith Sino-Russian treaties of 1851-1881, while consulates in Western Mongolia and Manchuria opened only in the early XX century,after Russia's defeat in the Russo-Japanese war. Russian consulates' status in Outer China used to be very specific. Firstly, they possessed anexterritorial right and consular jurisdiction. Secondly, since the consulates as well as the Imperial Legation in Beijing were the only Russianofficial institutions in Qing Empire until the beginning of the XX century, so the sphere of consular competence was both diverse and extensive.Besides fulfilling traditional consular functions (protection of Russian citizens' rights, assisting development of Russian trade, etc.), theconsuls served as diplomatic representatives and political agents. Thirdly, the consuls were quite autonomous in decision-making, thereforethe level of Russia's influence and effectiveness of Russian policy implementation in Outer China were to high extent dependent on them.The consuls in Xinjiang played a significant role in Russia-China delimitation in Central Asia, settling the border and migration disputes,establishing the boundary regime. They took part in the restoration of Western China after the Moslem rebellion of 1864-1878 andsought to prevent British and Japanese penetration to Xinjiang and Pamir. In the early XX century the consulates took steps for limiting secretactivities of Japanese and Turkish agents in Kashgaria and Djungaria. Russian diplomats in Outer Mongolia contributed much not onlyto successful protection of Russian entrepreneurship, but as well to security of the state and its "spheres of influence" in China from externalthreats (ex. Japan), resolving China's internal conflicts and Mongols' national liberation. The main efforts of consulates in Manchuria wereapplied to maintaining good relations with local authorities, collecting and analyzing data connected to Beijing's colonization and militarypolicy in Manchuria, Japanese, European and American activities in the region.In spite of numerous difficulties faced by diplomats in the remote districts of China, Russian consular institute in Outer China in the periodunder study succeeded to provide appropriate protection of the Empire's commercial and political-strategic interests. Their work made asignificant contribution to strengthening the "multi-factor equilibrium" in Russia-China interaction, regional security in Central and North-Eastern Asia and maintaining the "balance of power" in the international system.

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