The Alexis inquiry

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Cession is defined as the surrender, relinquishment, or assignment of territory by one state or government to another by the Free Dictionary. Oxford defines the term as the formal giving up of rights, property, or territory by a state. Vocabulary.com Dictionary says it is the act of giving up something, usually land, by the agreement in a formal treaty. For example, after a war, a losing country might make a cession of part of its land to the victor.

In our discussion, Alexis and his group gave the example of territories that were returned to different states in adherence to the 1919 Treaty of Versailles. Alsace-Lorraine was given to France, Belgium received Eupen and Malmedy, Denmark got North Schleswig and so on.

In relation to the question by Alexis, if we look at the word 'surrender' then in this context we can say that it is an example of cession. Surrender according to Merriam-Webster means to yield to the power, control, or possession of another upon compulsion or demand. The victors of the war in this case demanded the territories via the Treaty of Versailles.

I like the definition by Vocabulary.com Dictionary. It is straight forward in comparison to the definition shared by Hembi-du in glossary 1 from Wikipedia. The confusing element was the comparison to annexation.

According to Encyclopedia Britannica annexation is a formal act whereby a state proclaims its sovereignty over territory hitherto outside its domain. Unlike cession, whereby territory is given or sold through treaty, annexation is a unilateral act made effective by actual possession and legitimized by general recognition. 

I mentioned as well the Treaty of Nanking in 1842 that ended the first Opium War.  I was suppose to say that the treaty facilitated the ceding of Hong Kong to Great Britain and not the other way around. Sorry for the mix up.

According to Encyclopedia Britannica China paid the British an indemnity and ceded the territory of Hong Kong. Britain and France as foreign powers were victorious in the Opium Wars and gained commercial privileges and legal and territorial concession in China. This case reinforces the understanding that China surrendered the territory to Britain.

Bilu and his group talked about the 1962 New York Agreement. I agree with the group that this is also another example of cession. The Netherlands relinquished the territory to the United Nations who then allowed Indonesian occupation and administration of the territory. However, we can debate this case if you disagree.

To Alexis and his group, I hope this brief piece is helpful in your bid to understand the term cession. Please feel free to comment and debate further in the name of academia.

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