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Journal of Chinese
Architecture and Urbanism Spatial evolution of Fuzhou and Xiamen ports

as the Qing government initiated the Self-Strengthening pumps drove technological advancements (Daily Press
Movement, with Zuo Zongtang (1812 – 1885) advocating Office, 1868), while departments managed by experienced
for the development of steamships. This initiative led to the Europeans elevated organizational efficiency, showcasing
establishment of the Fuzhou Arsenal, strategically located the specialization brought about by the capitalist division of
at the foot of the mountains to serve both military and labor (Figure 5). In 1892, the New Xiamen Dock Company,
commercial purposes. The shipyard’s internal layout was Ltd. invested nearly $100,000 in advanced machinery,
ingenious, featuring dry docks, ironworks, wheelhouses, enabling it to undertake virtually any navigational
and machinery factories. Surrounding structures include repair work. The Xiamen Engineering Company, Ltd.,
quarters for foreign craftsmen, a naval college, a coal factory, established by Chinese capital in 1893, exemplified
and a dedicated business street (Zhang, 1971). In 1869, successful collaboration with British managers (Wright,
the French consul attempted to establish a consulate and 1908). Supervisor J. D. Edwards, a trained ship engineer,
intervene in shipyard affairs; however, Shen Baozhen (1820 joined the British firm Douglas Lapraik and Co. in 1882.
– 1879), asserting the shipyard’s autonomy from consular The ship’s slipway, extending 290 ft (mostly submerged),
jurisdiction, rejected the French consul’s proposals. In was equipped with double-powered winches and a crane
1882, a Fujian censor proposed the construction of the with a 10-ton lifting capacity. In 1918, the company was
Pagoda Anchorage Dock, completed in 1893, which could restructured by Tait and Co., and in 1919, the Republic
accommodate the repair of large warships. However, of China government, under the leadership of Li Houji
following its completion, financial constraints within (1869 – 1942), nationalized the Xiamen Dock Company
the Fuzhou Arsenal led to its slow development (Fuzhou under the Regulations for the Trial Implementation of
Gang Shizhi Bianji Weiyuanhui, 1996). In 1908, with Prize Bonds for the Establishment of Xiamen Dock (Min
the expiration of key contracts and mounting financial Du Du Fu Zheng Wu Yuan Yin Zhu Ju, 1919), redeeming
difficulties, all foreign staff were disbanded. it for RMB ¥410,000 and transforming it into the Xiamen
The developmental trajectory of the maritime industry Shipyard.
in Xiamen distinctly reflects the impact of capitalism During this era, Western advancements in science,
and mercantilism on its industrial landscape. In 1729, a technology, and industrial reform were pivotal in shaping
shipyard specializing in naval warships was established and implementing the mercantilist ideology of business
in Quanzhou, establishing an early connection between warfare. The construction of the Fuzhou Arsenal,
the shipbuilding industry and military production. an 8-year endeavor from the initial recruitment of
Private shipyards handled civilian vessels, thus laying Western technicians to the achievement of technological
the groundwork for an initial division of labor between independence, was marked by fervent debates between
commercial and military interests. In 1845, the British advocates and detractors. Despite support from the Prime
set up a shipbuilding yard in Xiamen Harbor, and the Minister’s Office, the arsenal’s progress stagnated due to
founding of the Xiamen Dock Company in 1859 marked opposition from certain domestic and foreign officials.
a new phase of foreign intervention. Centrifugal steam This clash of perspectives throughout the arsenal’s gradual

A B C D

E

Figure 5. Port spatial landscape: Docks. (A) Patent Slip at the Imperial Arsenal, Mawei, Fuzhou. (B) Forster’s Dock, Pagoda Anchorage, Fuzhou. (C) Sail
Loft, Xiamen Dock Company. (D) The New Xiamen Dock Company, Ltd. (E) The Fuzhou Arsenal. Source: (A and B) Archives and Special Collections,
SOAS Library, University of London, 1870s, 1880s – 1890s; (C) Album of Hongkong Canton Macao Amoy Foochow Vol. 1, George Ernest Morrison, Toyo
Bunko; (D) Twentieth Century Impressions of Hongkong, Shanghai, and Other Treaty Ports of China, 1908, p. 823; (E) Nan Zhi Na Bing Beijing Di Fang
Zha Xian Tie (南支那並北京地方写真帖; Southern China and Beijing Regional Photographs), Imperial Household Agency Library, Japan.

Volume 7 Issue 1 (2025) 7 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.3495