In 1858, in Aigun, now Heihe in China, the Governor-General of Eastern Siberia, Count Nikolai Nikolayevich Muravyov-Amursky, and the Manchu official Aisin Gioro Ishan signed a treaty. This document secured for Russia over 600,000 square kilometers of territory from the Qing Empire, establishing the border along the Amur River. However, in 1860, in Beijing, Russian diplomat Major General N. P. Ignatiev concluded a new agreement, which restored the Russian Empire's control over Primorye and the Far East.

Why was it necessary to conclude two treaties in such a short time?

These agreements were driven by internal turmoil in the Qing Empire. Additionally, France and Britain began their expansion into China, while the Russians advanced from the northeast. According to the Nerchinsk Treaty of 1689, territories north of the Amur and east of the Ussuri belonged to the Qing Empire.

The initiator of the new Russian expansion was Count Muravyov-Amursky. In 1854, Nicholas I granted him the authority to negotiate with Beijing. In 1858, Russian and Manchu delegations met in Aigun. Muravyov-Amursky, taking advantage of China's difficulties, threatened invasion from the north. By that time, the number of Russian troops in the region had reached 10,000.

According to the Aigun Treaty, Primorye was to be placed under joint administration, while Priamurye was ceded to Russia. However, Beijing refused to recognize this document, claiming it was signed under duress, as Muravyov-Amursky had moved the fleet to Aigun.

Legally, the issue of the territories remained unresolved. Two years later, Major General Ignatiev secured a new agreement in Beijing, ensuring unconditional Russian control over Primorye and the Far East. Nevertheless, the merits of conquering these lands are attributed to Count Muravyov, for which he received the title Amursky.