| Logistics is a basic economic activity in human society,and it refers to the flow of commodities between the point of origin and the point of consumption.Logistics industry provides paid logistics service according to needs of customers or corporations.Therefore,logistics industry can be classified into two types based on functions in different fields,i.e.transport-oriented enterprises,and enterprises focusing on transport agency and relevantlogistics businesses through roads,railways,ships,planes,and warehouses.Against the background that Western logistics enterprises seized the dominant position through privileged treaties,Chinese logistics industry experienced the process from early decline to subsequent tortuous development,and formed the logistics system composed of dock warehouse logistics,shipping logistics,road logistics,and railway logistics,laying a foundation for the development of Chinese logistics in modern times.However,the logistics-related unequal treaties and conventions provided privileged protection for the Western aggression against Chinese logistics.Their logistics invasion is a major measure of ensuring the development of capitalist system.To speed up aggression,and seize their dominant political and economic position in China,Western powers took the signing of logistics-related unequal treaties as the first strategy of invading China.For instance,the Western powers led by the UK forced the Qing government to sign a series of unequal treaties through military invasion and diplomatic blackmail,providing privileged condition for their logistics enterprises to invade China's economy.Based on the content,logistics treaties and conventions between China and Foreign States can be classified into three types,including tariff,dock warehouse,and logistics and transport facilities.With the deepening aggression against China,the Western powers tried to speed up goods flow,lower transport cost,and increase transport volume.All the three types of unequal treaties demonstrate Western powers' aggression against Chinese logistics.Through the treaties related to tariff rate,the Western powers grabbed the privilege of agreement tariff,lowered import and export duty,and inland duty,providing conditions for foreign merchants to expand commodity transportation in China.Supported by the treaties related to dock warehouses,foreign businesses could build commodity distribution centers in trading ports,promoting the expansion of logistics in the inland.In addition,favorable logistics facility is one basic condition for foreign logistics enterprises to secure fast expansion in China.Through unequal treaties,foreign powers not only grabbed the rights of building roads and railways,but also seized coastal and inland navigation rights,laying a foundation for foreign businesses to invade Chinese logistics transport.Protected by the privileged treaties in logistics,foreign logistics enterprises gradually seized the dominant position,and established a large-scale system.Western powers controlled China's commodity circulation,and developed their own warehouse industry,and logistic transportation industry.As a result,foreign dock warehouse industry gradually controlled China's goods circulation,and expanded invasion from the coast to inland trading ports.Driven by the dock warehouse industry,foreign shipping companies controlled the shipping logistics market of China's coastal and inland waters,quickening the decline of Chinese traditional shipping logistics,and created conditions for Western powers to further their invasion.Meanwhile,foreigners also seized the dominant position in road logistics.Road facility is a precondition for the development of road logistics.Concessions served as the front line for powers to invade Chinese road logistics.Under the unified planning and supervision of the Municipal Council,the new-type roads were built,and automobiles were introduced.With the increasing concessions,more roads were built,and road logistics seized the dominant position.Railway investment right offered convenience for the Western powers to invade Chinese railway logistics.Through various railway construction contracts,the Western powers not only grabbed Chinese right of railway operation,but also expanded railway logistics business through appointing foreigners,purchasing equipment,and designing routes.Foreign logistics business stimulated the shift of modern Chinese logistics industry from decline to preliminary establishment.The decline of Chinese traditional logistics industry,and foreign businesses' chasing after profits were the main drivers of the rise of modern Chinese logistics.Chinese shipping logistics industry was first transformed in modern times.Official shipping logistics enterprises represented by China Merchants Steamship Navigation Company outdated got rid of the traditional mode of sailing boats,and enhanced their competitiveness in the river basin of the Yangtze River.Chinese enterprises used ships for shipping logistics,and achieved the large-scale operation in the Yangtze River,the Pearl River,and the Heilong River,promoting the development of dock warehouse.Dock warehouse industry was the pioneer of Chinese warehouse industry.Through the efforts of China Merchants Steamship Navigation Company and other shipping enterprises,China established dock warehouses in major trading ports,providing necessary facilities for commodity circulation.Likewise,roads and automobiles also promoted the construction of infrastructures,helping China basically establish the road logistics.Influenced by economic progress,road building for military use,and local autonomy,Chinese provinces began to recognize the significance of automobile transportation,promoting the landscape of road logistics.Finally,roads were widely built,and railway institutions were established,which made China basically form the modern railway logistics system.With the advancement of recalling tariff sovereignty,and shipping right movement,the Nanking National Government promulgated a series of necessary measures,and promoted the establishment of modern Chinese logistics system.Dissolving-Likin and adding-taxes were the prerequisite of recalling tariff sovereignty.The dissolution of transit duty facilitated the railway and road logistics.Chinese growing shipping capability and dock warehouse capability are also the prerequisite of recalling the shipping right.The policy further boosted Chinese shipping logistics,and dock warehouse business.Thus,the large number and operation scale of enterprises proved that China had established the modern logistics system during the period of Nanking National Government.Under the influence of unequal treaties and conventions,modern Chinese logistics industry was semi-colonial and semi-feudal,and it integrated modernization and feudal tradition.Modern Chinese logistics,controlled by foreign logistics,was mainly located in the southeastern coasts and the regions with advanced business and transportation.It to some degree boosted the trade and commerce as well as other industries,and accelerated urbanization,but it still took the secondary position without independent development. |
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