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Per Wikipedia.....
“In December 1897, a Russian fleet appeared off Port Arthur. After three months, in 1898, China and Russia negotiated a convention by which China leased (to Russia) Port Arthur, Talienwan and the surrounding waters. The two parties further agreed that the convention could be extended by mutual agreement.” https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russo-Japanese_War
IOTL, this led to demands from Japan that Russia withdraw, with Japan’s negotiator offering proposed giving Russia control over Manchuria in exchange for Japanese control of northern Korea.
Now, ITTL, Russia, has intel of the beginnings of negotiations of what would become the 1902 Anglo-Japan alliance. Also, Russia is more concerned about British power in India and Afghanistan. So, in 1900, Russia signs an agreement with Japan gifting Port Arthur to Japan, with the establishment of an economic treaty and Japanese investment in railways between Russia, Manchuria and Japan.