The Development And Connection Of The Urban Cotton Spinning Industry In The Yangtze River Delta Of The Republic Of China (1912-1936)

The cotton industry is the first pillar industry in modern China and the symbol of modern China’s industry, which plays an important role in the national economic,political and social life. From ancient times to the present, Yangtze River Delta area has always been one of the most developed regions of Chinese cotton manufacturing industry. Since Min and Qing Dynasties, the cotton products of Yangtze River Delta area has been sold well around the China, and even exported overseas with a very broad market. In modern times, Yangtze River Delta area is also the birthplace of Chinese national cotton textile industry with a very rapid developing tendency.Looking into the whole supply chain of cotton production sector, the cotton textile industry undoubtedly plays an significant role on linking the cotton planting sector with the cotton weaving sector, which is the key point between the upstream and downstream. During the period of Republic of China, based on the superior natural environment, competitive location advantages and developed economy, the cotton manufacturing industry of Yangtze River Delta area gradually developed into a national cotton textile industrial base. In the fierce competition with foreign competitors, many influential enterprises came into the fore. They pay great attention to the upgrading of technology and brand awareness, and actively expand both domestic and foreign markets. During this process, a number of large-scale enterprise group emerged. For a very long time to come, they have made outstanding contributions to the modernization of cotton industry in the Yangtze River Delta region.The cotton textile mills of the Yangtze River Delta is mainly concentrated in Shanghai, Nantong, Wuxi, etc. Through the study of the third chapter of this article, it is not difficult to find that although they didn’t use same development mode. But in the enterprise capital investment, technology import and other aspects, there are many similarities and dependencies among those cotton mills. It is precisely because of these similarities and dependencies, making the Yangtze River Delta regional cities more and more closely linked, while promoting the development of regional economic integration. All of those information provide us with a clear clue to explore the inner link between the industrial cities in the Yangtze River Delta during the period of the Republic of China, as well as an important historical reference for the development of Yangtze River delta urban agglomeration.