the peninsula was an important area of conflict during the first sino-japanese war (1894–1895), which the japanese won. defeat precipitated decline in the chinese qing dynasty which was exploited by colonial powers who extracted numerous concessions. the peninsula was ceded to japan, along with taiwan and penghu, by the treaty of shimonoseki of 17 april 1895. however the ceding of liaodong peninsula was rescinded after the triple intervention of 23 april 1895 by russia, france and germany. in the aftermath of this intervention, the russian government pressured the qing dynasty to lease liaodong and the strategically important lüshunkou (port arthur) for use by the russian navy.