The Self-opening Trading Port Of Changchun And The Modernization Of Cities In The End Of The Qing Dynasty And Beginning Of The Period Of The Republic Of China(1905-1931)

Changchun is located in the hinterland of northeast China,which originally relied on the traditional agricultural economy before modern times.In 1907,Changchun was officially opened up as a self-trading port.The operation and development of the port has since had a profound impact on the transformation of the city.This modernization of Changchun has allowed for strong economic progress.In the late Qing Dynasty,the national crisis deepened and the people actively sought good policies to save the nation.At that time,the idea of self-opening ports to strengthen the country has gradually developed into the mainstream of society.This movement was supported by the government of Qing Dynasty.Subsequently,a wave of opening up trade ports are opening up throughout China.Since Changchun is located in the remote frontier of China,it was originally quite isolated.However,the construction of the Middle East Railway and the South Manchu Railway allowed for greater access and helped to strengthened the contacts between Changchun and the outside world.Therefore,the status of Changchun has become increasingly important as it became a battleground for the foreign powers.The opening to the outside world has made some foreign powers carry out aggression activities in the name of righteousness.However,the Qing government believed that opening ports could resist the aggression of foreign powers to some extent.Thus,it has been inevitable to open up commercial ports throughout Changchun under the influence of various factors.As the saying goes,“Rome was not built in a day”,therefore the first prerequisite for the construction of commercial ports is to formulate detailed regulations.The promulgation of the two programmatic documents—the Charter of the Commercial Building and the Charter of the Police,both represent the final stage of preparations for commercial ports.Hence,various undertakings have had bloomed in the commercial ports and the modernization of cities also get promoted after opening commercial ports.Many industries in Changchun such as the soybean trade,flour and textile as well as other industries developed rapidly.All of these industries have accumulated abundant capital for Changchun city and drove the innovation and progress of its financial industry.The combination of old-style private banks and new banks guaranteed the stability of the economic market of Changchun.In addition,social progress and economic prosperity will undoubtedly increase the demand for atalented and skilled work-force.The need for advanced education methods will be necessary to cultivate suitable talents,so the modernization reform of education has also become an important part of city development.The development of public utilities is an important criterion for measuring urban civilization.The electric power industry,road construction and park construction have changed the appearance of the city in varying degrees and accelerated the modernization of the city.In addition,with the economy becoming more prosperous,the population of Changchun City has greatly improved in terms of quantity and quality.Furthermore,the diversified development of urban architecture not only changed the structure of the city,but also reflected the advanced nature of urban modernization.Changchun's commercial port opening is the result of internal and external forces.However,due to the narrow purpose of the governor led to the temporary opening of the ports.As a result,the development of urban modernization presents a characteristic of diversification,modernization and colonization.