The Study Of Public Welfare Undertakings Of Commercial Chamber Of Shaoxing County In The Period Of Republic Of China

The contemporary Chamber of Commerce of Shaoxing County came into being as a result of the joint action of political, economic and cultural factors during the particular historical period of Shaoxing from the end of the 19^th century to the early 20^th century. It is a nongovernmental organization sponsored by modern compradors from Shaoxing County. In addition to "protecting merchants" and "promoting commerce", the Chamber of Commerce of Shaoxing County in the period of Republic of China takes a number of social responsibilities such as building irrigation works, Preventing and Fighting Fire, health and epidemic preventing, Charity and Social Relief, Buildmg Public Safety and developing and vitalizing education. To a great extent, it compensates for the vacancy of the social management function of the government.The establishment of the Chamber played a vital role in the achievement of stabilizing, developing and promoting the society of Shaoxing in the period of Republic of China.Based on the general introduction of the establishment, development and social commercial practices of the Chamber of Commerce of Shaoxing County, the current thesis attempts to make an investigation into the practice of its participation in the public welfare undertakings in the period of Republic of China for the purpose of making a study of the mechanism of its carrying out this undertaking, exploring the motivation of its undertakings and making a summary of the features and experience of this practice. Hopefully, the paper can provide modern chambers of commerce and other similar social organizations with some implications for reference.