A Study On Early Management Of Beijing-hankow Railway (1895-1912)

Beijing-Hankow railway is a main line which go through the south and north china. It was built by Late Qing Dynasty to achieve self-reliance and modernization. After Sino-Japanese War, Qing government has fully realized the importance of railway for the national military and economic. Being through the argument about railway in 70-80s in 19th century, a heavy defeat made people recognizing that railway has a great effect to the modernization which can not be ignored. Beijing-Hankow railway was built at this right time. Building railway systematically in Qing Dynasty was beginning.The construction of Beijing-Hankow railway was the start of building railroad on a large scale in Qing Dynasty, which became the initial loan model to build a railroad. Beijing-Hankow railway's operating conditions was well in Late Qing Dynasty, and it was one of the most lucrative railways except Jingfeng railway. Its line maintained and personal management is gradually perfect. Beijing-Hankow railway's successful operation lowers the degree of right in some extent which cost by loaning the money from the powers. It also gives the area along the railway a new opportunity to develop economic and society. Beijing-Hankow railway did not achieve the goal to make Late Qing Dynasty become wealth and powerful, it also has some problems with management, but Beijing-Hankow railway's management methods and concepts has positive side for all the railway in Qing Dynasty. Some of precious enlightenment still has reference for nowadays.This paper is mainly investigate the early management of Beijing-Hankow railway's operate conditions from the year 1895 to 1912, trying to state the development of Late Qing Dynasty railway, analysis its operating revenue and railway works etc, reflect what effect does Beijing-Hankow railway take in the process of modernization in Late Qing Dynasty whose country situation is declined.