What did U.S. Secretary of State John Hay request from countries with leaseholds in China in 1899?

In 1899, U.S. Secretary of State John Hay introduced the Open Door Policy, which aimed to ensure that all nations could trade with China on equal terms and that no single power would monopolize the Chinese market. By requesting that countries with leaseholds in China refrain from discriminating against other nations, Hay was advocating for a system where all nations had equal access to Chinese markets. This was particularly important at a time when various European powers and Japan were expanding their influence and territories in China, leading to the potential for exclusive control over trade and resources.

This push for non-discrimination was crucial in maintaining international trade relations and preventing any one country from dominating China's economy, which aligned with the broader U.S. goal of facilitating free trade and preventing the fragmentation of China into spheres of influence controlled by European powers. Hay's request aimed to promote cooperation among countries involved in China and to safeguard American commercial interests, which depended on open markets. This foundational aspect of the Open Door Policy has had a lasting impact on U.S.-China relations and international trade principles.