The Evolution Of Relationship Between Samshui Port And Kongmoon Port Since Modern Times And The Analysis Of Causes

The port of Samshui and the port of Kongmoon are the most important two ports in the west side of Pearl River Delta.Since modern times,the evolution of the relationship between these two ports could be divided into three phases: the port of Samshui took the lead from the year of 1897 to 1903;the port of Kongmoon kept pace with Samshui Port from 1904 to 1919;the port of Kongmoon surpassed Samshui Port from 1920 to 1939.There were five major reasons that caused the changes.Firstly,situated at the southwest side of the Pearl River Delta,the port of Kongmoon had many channels directly leading to Hongkong,the biggest trade center in south China at that time,which made Kongmoon easier to import and export goods from Hongkong.The port of Samshui located at the northwest side of the Pearl River Delta.It was a little bit inconvenient for Samshui Port to trade with Hongkong.Secondly,the anchorages,channels,wharves,warehouses,embankment and communication facilities of Kongmoon Port were much better than those of the port of Samshui,which availed Kongmoon Port to attract more ship-owning companies and good sources.Thirdly,the Xinning Railway and the road networks in southwest Guangdong,not only effectively improved the transportation capability of Kongmoon Port,but also strengthened the connection between Kongmoon and its hinterland.However,the constructions of road around Samshui Port lag behind the trend,and the Guangsan Railway had either not connected with the port,or extended into the upper and middle area of the West and the North River.So the traffic system contributed little on the connections between Samshui Port and its hinterland.Fourthly,Xinhui,Xinning,Kaiping,Enping,and Heshan county,as the core hinterland of Kongmoon Port,was an rich and productive region owing to overseas remittance,and less affected by other ports,which could provide adequate native products and adsorbed plenty of foreign goods.Meanwhile,the core hinterland of Samshui Port,which means Xinan Town and Foshan Town,were easily distracted by other ports such as Guangzhou and Chencun,and the upper and middle area of West and North River were too poor to support the development of Samshui Port.Fifthly,the Port-centered Industry ofKongmoon was so thriving,which defined Kongmoon Port as “Second Generation Port” and gave it a comprehensive function of industry,commerce and finance.Nevertheless,the Port-centered Industry of Samshui was not only small,but also separated from the harbour district,which just defined Samshui Port as “First Generation Port” and offered it the single function of transportation.The evolution of the relationship between Samshui Port and Kongmoon Port,was the result of the spatial competitions and interest games of the two bordering ports.It reflects the transition of economic patterns and port systems in the Pearl River Delta since modern times,and offers historic experience to today's development orientations for the port of samshui and Kongmoon.