Page 115 - JCAU-7-1

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

this period emphasized national economic independence that he/she has no known competing financial interests or
and strength. The concept of “business warfare” gained personal relationships that could have influenced the work
popularity, leading to the militarized planning of port reported in this article. The authors declare that they have
spaces. no competing interests.
With the advent of the steamship era, the opening of Author contributions
the Suez Canal accelerated the globalization of commerce
and trade. The thriving tea and cotton yarn trade became Conceptualization: Binglin Xue
a crucial driving force behind the development of Fuzhou Investigation: Binglin Xue
and Xiamen. During this period, industry became the core Writing – original draft: Binglin Xue
of mercantilist ideology, with national capital playing a Writing – review & editing: All authors
significant role in shaping port spaces. Water usage rights
transformed into trade privileges, while the integration Ethics approval and consent to participate
of land and water areas was facilitated by partnerships Not applicable.
between official and foreign capital.
Consent for publication
With the arrival of the oil tanker era, petroleum emerged
as a new force in urban development. The infrastructure Not applicable.
brought by oil companies transformed port landscapes,
highlighting capitalism’s role in the global evolution of Availability of data
ports. Mercantilism gradually evolved into a capitalist The authors confirm that all data generated or analyzed
ideology focused on a free-market economy. Oil company during this study are included in this published article.
construction guided urban space toward industrialization,
driven by profit motives. These companies exploited Further disclosure
mercantilist loopholes in land leasing, directly impacting
the safety of surrounding residents and water areas with The entirety of the research findings was presented at the
th
the construction of oil depots and docks. To accommodate 18 Academic Annual Conference on Chinese Modern
industrialization needs, port operations gradually shifted Architectural History in July 2024.
away from city centers. References
In summary, the treaty ports of Fuzhou and Xiamen, Brand, H. (1933). Fukien, Arts and Industries. China: Foochow
shaped by the forces of colonialism, mercantilism, Christian Herald Industrial Mission Press.
and capitalism, transformed from militarized cities to
commercial hubs and, eventually, to industrialized urban Cartier, C. L. (1991). Mercantile Cities on the South China
Coast: Ningbo, Fuzhou, and Xiamen, 1840-1930. Berkeley:
spaces. Throughout this process, the influence of modern University of California.
mercantilism not only marked the evolution of commercial
ideas but also played a crucial role in shaping the globalized Dai, Y. F. (1988). Wukou tongshang shiqi de Fujian duiwai maoyi.
spatial development of port cities. [Foreign trade of Fujian during the Treaty Ports Period].
Fujian Forum (Cultural, Historical, and Philosophical
Acknowledgments Edition), (1):54-60.
None. Daily Press Office. (1868). The Chronicle and Directory For China,
Japan, and The Philippines, For The Year 1868. Hongkong:
Funding Daily Press.
This article is a partial result of the National Natural Doolittle, J. (1865). Social Life of the Chinese: With Some Account
science foundation of china, “A Comparative Study on of the Religious, Governmental, Educational, and Business
Customs and Opinions. United States: Harper and Brothers.
the Planning and Construction of French Concessions in
Modern East Asia” (52178021). Esherick, J. W. (Ed.). (2000). Remaking the Chinese City:
Modernity and National Identity, 1900-1950. United States:
Conflict of interest University of Hawaii Press.

Nobuo Aoki and Subin Xu are the Guest Editors for this Fuzhou Gang Shizhi Bianji Weiyuanhui. (1996). Fuzhou Gang Shi
special issue but were not in any way involved in the [History of Fuzhou Port]. China: China Communications Press.
editorial and peer-review process conducted for this paper, Gongshang Guanggaoshe Tuixiaobu. (1932). Xiamen
directly or indirectly. Separately, the other author declared Gongshangye Daguan [Xiamen Industrial and Commercial

Volume 7 Issue 1 (2025) 12 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.3495