| In 19th60's, a striking phenomenon was the emergence of the concept of "trade war". In traditional society, trade was scorned and businessmen were despised. Why did people in late Qing Dynasty changed their former prejudice and paid attention to trade? Both internal and external factors contributed to this result. From the historical perspective, as early as in Song Dynasty, all rights were controlled by government. Scholars' life style had become an important factor that influenced personal dignity. The phenomenon of " Abandoning scholarship and engaging in trade" had appeared. By 16th century, it had been noticed and discussed by many scholars. Political changes at the turn of Ming and Qing accelerated this trend to some degree. In fact, since 16th century, businessmen had played a more and more important role in society. Besides, they occupied an obviously increasing position in social value system. Even their legal status was improved. The immediate cause of "trade war" among people in late Qing Dynasty was the influence of mercantilism in western society. After the second Opium War, the loss in customs caused discussion about"trade war". The word "trade war" was first used in Zeng Guopan's book. At that time, it did not have the current meaning, but it was cited by others later. Li Fan put forward the theory of "trade war". Xue Fucheng put forward a more detailed theory. He believed that trade was most emphasized by westerners in order to become rich. Zheng Guannian believed that trade war was more important than army war and that it was an intangible war.Traditional Chinese commerce concept played an intermediary role for the acceptance of modern western economic theory by people of late Qing Dynasty. Western influence caused Chinese commerce concept to break up its tradition and enter the modern period. Therefore, the concept of "trade war" conveyed the obvious feature of transition.In general, the concept of "trade war" included internal and external aspects. The external aspect mainly required modifying and abolishing unequal pacts that obstructed the development of national industry and commerce and reclaiming rights. People of late Qing Dynasty believed that principles of tax should be modified according to western convention and put forward the principle of "heavy import taxation and light export taxation". They appealed Qing government to cultivate people who were versed in taxation system and appoint them as officers of tax office so as to take charge of customs on our own. MFN treatment was an expression of equal diplomacy. However, it turned out to be unequal as a result of aggression. Zheng Guanying advised Qing government to negotiate with western countries and modify treaties so as to get back our rights.They also advised destroying the old and establishing the new and developing industry. First of all, modern western machines should be used to reform the backward ones. They proposed that industry and commerce should be paid equal attention. Xue Fucheng put forward the theory of making use of industrial system by commerce. Wang Tao and Ma Jianzhong expected that Qing Dynasty established consulates overseas so as to protect the interests of Chinese businessmen. They became aware that the success of western powers were closely related to their sound industrial and commercial organization and hoped that corporation system and insurance system would be established and controlled by the shareholders. At the beginning of Guangxu Emperor, Renhe insurance company was set up. They also advocated that western bank system should be introduced. In 1897, Qing government opened Chinese Tongshang Bank in Shanghai. Later subsidiary banks were established in Tianjin, Hankou and Guangzhou in succession.The fact that they advised developing industry demonstrated that they had a rational recognition about western civilization and the essence of trade war. Though their recognition could not get rid of the bondage of tradition, it hinted that Capitalism was the developmental direction of mo... |
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