Foreign Concessions in China

Foreign concessions in China were areas, primarily in cities like Shanghai and Tianjin, where foreign powers gained special rights and control during the 19th and early 20th centuries. These zones operated under foreign laws, separate from Chinese jurisdiction, and were established through unequal treaties following military defeats. They facilitated foreign trade, influence, and presence, effectively creating semi-colonial zones within Chinese cities. Over time, these concessions diminished as China regained sovereignty, culminating in their reintegration into the nation by the mid-20th century.