YUNNAN (-nan'), the extreme S. W. province of China; bounded on the S. by Annam, Siam, and Burma; on the W. by Burma; area, 107,969 square miles; pop. about 12,000,000. It is extremely rich in minerals, especially iron and copper, containing also many varieties of precious stones. At least a third of the cultivated land is said to be under the poppy. The inhabitants are for the most part Chinese; but there is a large number of non-Chinese Mohammedans (called by the Burmese Panthays).
The chief imports into Yunnan are raw cotton, cotton yarn, and piece goods; opium and tin are the chief ex ports. In 1869 the Mohammedans rose in rebellion against the Chinese Govern ment, and succeeded in establishing an independent government, but it lasted only three or four years. By the con vention of Chefoo in 1876 the establish ment of commercial relations between British subjects and Yunnan was con ceded by the Chinese Government.
In 1897 an agreement was made be tween Great Britain and China, supple menting the Frontier Convention of March, 1894, which laid down a bound ary between Burma with its dependen cies and Yunnan and made arrangements for trade, extradition, etc. The ques
tion of access to Yunnan and Szechuen is one of great importance to the com mercial nations of Europe. The shortest route to Yunnan is through French ter ritory by the Red river. There are com peting routes through Burma. A part of .Yunnan is most easily reached from Bhamo. The Indian railway system is being extended to Kunlong Ferry, on the Salween, from which a route to Talifu, and possibly on to Szechuen, may be found practicable. Another route for a railway has been suggested through Chiengmai and northern Siam. More important routes at present are by river up to the Canton or West river, or by the Yang-tze-kiang, By the agreement of Jan. 15, 1896, Great Britain and France agreed to share equally all privi leges or advantages that might be con ceded by China in the provinces of Yun nan and Szechuen.