Trade With The Hinterland Of The Port Of Tianjin Export-oriented Economic Development (1860-1937)

Tianjin was opened as a trade port in 1860. And since then, seventy-seven years had flown away before the year 1937, when Japan seized Tianjin by force , which gave a heavy beat to the city's economy and social development. The short period of seventy years may be regarded as only a flash in Chinese history, but the great changes that had taken place in Tianjin brought about remarkable influence in the whole area of Northern China, which has attracted more attention from the Academe recent years.After Tianjin's opening, the range of its economic hinterlands was enlarged fast and a much broader area was covered by the great eradicating power of Tianjin. During the seven years, traditional transporting, financial, and business system had been improved and it made prominent contributions to Tianjin's modernization as well as the growing modern economic factors. With the leading power from Tianjin, the economic structure and marketing system, even people's living standard all experienced an obvious diversion from the conventional mode to an exported mode. On the other hand, the rapid and new-style economic development in the north of China was speeding Tianjin's modernization, and therefore Tianjin gradually grew into the most important city and played a leading role in the exported economic developing course in Northern China.However, some academic limitation still linger concerning the research on this subject Based on the established works of many scholars, this text tries to make a further study into this field employing the historical economic geography method.First, the basic concepts referred to in this text are carefully explained and the general frame is set up at the very beginning. Then, Tianjin's prominent status in leading the economic development of the broad areas of Northern China in modern times is demonstrated through evaluating Tianjin Fort's advancing course and its prosperous trade with foreign countries. The following chapters lay emphasis on the transporting conditions of Tianjin and its hinterlands, for transportation actually plays a crucial role in the hinterland expansion, the exported economy promotion, and the economic communication between Tianjin and its hinterlands. Second, we ascertain the comprehensive range of Tianjin's hinterlands by examining the various interiors from which native goods were brought and the destinations of imported goods forwarded. Thirdly, we attempt to display the particular developing conditions of the exported agriculture, herding, industry, business etc. Finally, we could manage to survey the remarkable status of Tianjin's modernization process in history and its pushing power to the northern areas of China. Besides, the economic counteraction from the interiors to Tianjin also becomes clear through our research. In the meanwhile, we as well give our explanation to the historical significance of Northern China. Certainly, the spatial differences of so broad areas, and the limited factors existing in the developing process are also paid enough attention in our text.The developing route of the exported economy development of Tianjin and its interiors can act as an epitome for the whole range of the north of China. We should improve our research continuously and make it a beneficial use for reference to the market system being constructed in China today.