Modern China And World Exposition

Exposition is a non-commercial global exhibition with the purpose of promoting communication and development of economy, culture, science and technology among countries to offer them the chance to propagandize themselves and display their accomplishment, so it is named as "Olympic Games of Economy." At very beginning stage of world exposition, China had somewhat connection with it. Participating the fair helped Chinese know other countries' resource and civilization, correct their perception on the world, figure out the gap between China and other countries and motivate them to learn from the west and keep up with the advance. Moreover, the awarded Chinese products gradually built their international status and increased their public acceptance in the world. Chinese businessman and company learned advanced production and operation notion from other countries to promote the development of Chinese industry and business. Meanwhile, it strengthened the connection between China with the world, changed Chinese backward and conservative philosophy, which played a positive role to improve Chinese economy. In a word, participating world fair benefited Chinese course of internalization and modernization.Taking "first" as the key word, the author selects several representative world fairs in modern China as the objects to analyze their features in the way of empirical study and comparison. This research involves vertical and transversal comparison among China and other countries so as to effectively outline modern Chinese course of world exposition. The fact proves that more preparation for world fair brings increasing mass passion and more remarkable outcome. Hence the author concludes that though there witnesses government change and social unrest during last century, there is a growing awareness and attention on world fair in Chinese government and people. Chinese course to participate world exposition is the process of openness of Chinese economy, culture, notion and internalization. Participation in world fair is therefore regarded as one of main drives of economical and cultural development in modern China. The dissertation consists of one introductory remark, seven chapters and one conclusion. The details are as follows:Introductory remark mainly involves relevant definitions, summarizes the forerunners' researches strengths and weakness with clarifying the topic, significance, contents, method and materials of this study.Chapter one is the general profile of world fair. It pictures the development course of world and Chinese exposition. And facts indicate that Chinese has got connection with world fair at the very beginning.Chapter two is China and 1851 London World exposition. It is the first time Chinese individual participated in world fair. From the successful involvement in the first world exposition, Chinese starts its steps of internalization.Chapter three is China and 1873 Vienna World Exposition, it was the first time Chinese participated in the name of Qing government, but all the jobs were undertaken by the foreigner-controlled custom. Though China got favorable result, the dualism of custom brought Chinese prize and humiliation as well.Chapter four is China and 1904 St. Louis world exposition. It is the first time government organizes businessmen to the fair. The more important is the corruptive and inefficient behavior of government and foreign custom officials caused national anger in the fair. There followed a strong appeals from the people to join in the fair on their own. So this exposition is named as a prelude for the handover of undertaking right.Chapter 5 focuses on the first law in China exposition history—General Rules on Participating World exposition, author illustrates it in the aspects of issuing background, content and influence and concludes that this law plays a positive role on promoting regularization, institutionalization, standardization of Chinese exposition undertakings. Therefore, it is regarded as the milestone of China exposition history.Chapter six is northern warlords' government and 1915 Panama World fair. Owing to solidarity and enthusiasm of people, China rebuilds international image and creates business chance by getting the most prizes among all the participants. So it is the most successful world fair Chinese has ever had in modern China.Chapter seven is China and 1930 Liege World exposition, it is the first time for Nanjing national government taking part in the world activity. It is also an effective diplomatic activity for its wonderful performance of No.3 prize. However, at the same time, it also mirrored the disparity among China with other countries.Chapter eight is world exposition and China modernization. After pointing out three stages in Chinese modernization, the author summaries the positive and negative aspects in Chinese modernization and then makes the conclusion that China participating world fair can fasten the procedure of China modernization and internalization.Conclusion clarifies the characteristics of modern China participating exposition. Meanwhile, it emphasizes the active role of world exposition on promoting China internalization and modernization.