The Exchange And Trade Of Forest Products In Fujian And Jiangxi Provinces During Ming And Qing Dynasties

Based on the previous study, the exchange and trade of forest products during Ming and Qing Dynasties were analyzed under the geographic areas of Fujian and Jiangxi Provinces. The exchange route and pattern, the market and trade of forest products in two provinces, as well as the communication with other provinces and countries were generally discussed in the study. The characteristics of exchange and trade of forest products were summarized to further demonstrate their historical function and influence to the social and economic development of Fujian and Jiangxi Provinces during Ming and Qing Dynasties. The study was expected to reflect the development of modern forestry in China.There were very long histories for the exchange and trade of forest products in Fujian and Jiangxi Provinces, due to the abundant forestry resources and the convenient traffic condition. During Ming and Qing Dynasties, the waterborne traffic network was well established in the two water systems of Ganjiang River and Minjiang River, which is almost half of the areas of Fujian and Jiangxi Provinces. Therefore, the convenient water systems were the most important route for transportation of forestry products. Many cities including Jiujiang,Fuzhou,Ganzhou,Yuanzhou,Raozhou. flourished in the crossings of the rivers and lakes. These five cities, as the ports for businessmen from all over the country, became the centers of production, transport and collection for the forestry products. In addition, Dayuling Moutains played an important role for transportation of forestry products as the vital landway for the traffic from north to south. All of the routes made up the basis of the exchange pattern of forestry products.The analysis on the market and trade of forestry products indicated there were particular characteristics in these areas. Firstly, the dominant materials for trade were timbers with the supplements of other forestry products. Secondly, there were territorial distributions among the markets and trades. For example, the timber centers mainly lay in Fuzhou, Ganzhou and Raozhou while Zhangshu was the medicine center. Thirdly, there was primary commodity economy in the trade of forestry products. The studies on the bargains and contracts for forestry affairs showed that the villagers already had fully recognized the economic values of forestry products, and explored the forests with the forms of pawn and rent. For the maximum benefits, people planted forestry products with high economic values according to the need of market.While the market and trade of forestry products improved the economic developments of Fujian and Jiangxi Provinces, it destroyed the abundant forestry resources in the areas at the same time. The disafforestation and growth of economic crops caused the decreased forest coverage rate and water and soil loss. Particularly, the activities of the purchase of forestry products by governments led to the direct destroy to the environment and resources in the areas.The market and trade communication of forestry products in Fujian and Jiangxi Provinces with other provinces and countries was further analyzed. Firstly, the markets forming of forestry products in Fujian and Jiangxi Provinces were tightly connected with their external trades. The communication improved the economic developments in the both delta regions of Yangtze River and Zhujiang River, and also brought many chances in the areas of Fujian and Jiangxi Provinces. Secondly, the communication of forestry products in Fujian and Jiangxi Provinces with other countries was only exchanged by the ways of smuggle and tribute, since there were very strict policies to ban oversea trades in the most of times during Ming and Qing Dynasties. Thirdly, after 1st Opium Wars in 1840, the Western Countries carried out the spoliatory exploration in the areas of Fujian and Jiangxi Provinces, which led to huge destroy to the forestry products.Finally, the characteristics of the exchange and trade of forestry products in the areas of Fujian and Jiangxi Provinces were concluded, and some reflections had been raised to enlighten the development of modern forestry in China.