The New International Encyclopædia/Wei-hei-wei

WEI-HAI-WEI, wā′hī′wā′. A port on the north coast of the promontory of Shan-tung, China, about 40 miles east of Chi-fu (q.v.), and about the same distance west of Yung-ching-hien, near the extreme end of the promontory (Map: China, F 4). It is situated on a moderately large bay with a small island in its mouth which protects the harbor from all sides except one. It was fortified by the Chinese in 1883-85, was made a naval station, and an arsenal was established. In 1895 the Japanese captured it from the landward side. It was evacuated in 1898, and shortly thereafter leased by Great Britain to be held by her so long as Russia should hold Port Arthur, on the opposite coast. With the concession went a strip of land ten miles wide, lying east of 121° 40′ E., and covering an area of about 285 square miles. Population, about 125,000, all under British rule. Only Chinese and British war vessels may enter the harbor.