中國｜晚清銀行

二十世紀初的中國

細閱資料C及D。

資料C

以下取材自1906年度支部啟奏的《大清銀行則例章程》。

銀行是流通的樞紐，也是維持商業的根本。東西各國皆有中央銀行，也有一般的儲蓄銀行。銀行有兩種：第一種是國家銀行，由國家下令成立，擁有特殊的特權。它有發行普通貨幣、紙幣、官方准入、重要債券等方面的義務。第二種是私人銀行，它是應商人的要求而成立的，必須得到政府的批准才能開業，主要目的是與商人進行交易。所收股數、業務目的、一切經營方法，均須呈交戶部，並隨時報告資金運作情況。戶部對上述各銀行均有管轄權，各銀行均設有專門的規章進行監督，若無管理之規條，恐各銀行必致自成風氣，財政則無整齊之日。事實上，戶部負責全國的金融事務，中國現正處於整飭財政之時，在制定國家貨幣、處理公款和外國資金方面，銀行尤為重要。

中國從來沒有銀行，但經營金銀交換貿易的銀號、票行、錢莊等，以及各省設立的官銀號、官錢局等，凡有銀行性質的，都可以是普通的銀行。農業銀行為農工所倚重，東、西洋實業之進步，皆為農業銀行之功。目前郵傳部交通銀行，及浙江鐵路之興業銀行等興辦實業的銀行已成立於中國，唯農業銀行仍未成立。

資料D

以下取材自一個美國人寫成的書。該美國人曾出任中國的法律顧問：該書描述1900年代中國的社會及經濟狀況。

中國地方之大、人口之多，它與西方的接觸在經濟層面上可以說僅僅泛起過一圈連漪。中國現今仍像數個世紀以前一樣，是一個以農業爲主、兼有少量家庭工業的國家。它的交通工具在質和量兩方面都是那麼不濟，以至簡品交換無法大量進行。大部分社區生活不單以農業爲主，而且還自成體系，不容外來影響。這個人口眾多的民族兩千年前是怎樣生活的，現在還是那樣生活。

儘管中國人在農業方面素有效率，然而，他們要子孫相續，在很大程度上還得仰仗風調雨順，播種不一定有所收成，水旱之災或會使大量人口陷於饑餓。每個家庭都必須倚靠其成員的勞動，才得以生存，根本無閒理會別人。說實在，除了勞動以外，再也沒有什麼時間去做其他事情。

(a) 根據資料C，銀行會為中國帶來什麼影響？試以資料C的相關線索，解釋你的答案。

(3分)

(b) 指出並解釋兩個1900年代中國經濟面對的結構性問題。試參考資料D，解釋你的答案。

(4分)

(c) 就反映1900-1911年間中國經濟發展而言，資料C及D有多大用處？試參考資料C及D，並就你所知，解釋你的答案。

(8分)

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China in the early 20th century

Study Sources C and D.

Source C

The following is adapted from the ‘Regulations of the Da Qing Bank’ as presented in the branch in 1906.

Banks are the hubs of circulation and the foundation for maintaining commerce. Both Eastern and Western countries have central banks, as well as general savings banks. There are two types of banks: the first type is the national bank, which is established by the state decree and granted special privileges. It has the obligation to issue common currency, banknotes, official approvals, and important bonds. The second type is private banks, which are established at the request of merchants and must obtain government approval to operate, primarily aiming to conduct transactions with merchants. The number of shares collected, business objectives, and all operational methods must be submitted to the Ministry of Finance, and they are required to report on the status of their funds at all times. The Ministry of Finance has jurisdiction over all these banks, and each bank has its own regulations for supervision. Without management regulations, it is feared that each bank could potentially develop its own practices, leading to disorder in financial management. In fact, the Ministry of Finance is responsible for the country's financial affairs. China is currently in a phase of financial consolidation, and banks are especially important in establishing national currency and managing public and foreign funds.

Historically speaking,Chinadid not have banks, but establishments engaged in the exchange of gold and silver, such as silver houses, bill shops, andmoneyshops, as well asofficialsilver houses and currency offices in various provinces,they all had the nature of banks,can be considered ordinary banks. Agricultural banks areheavilyrelied upon by farmers, and the progress of industrial enterprises in both Eastern and Westernsocietiesis attributed to the efforts of agricultural banks. Currently in China there are institutions like theBank of Communicationunder the Postal Department or Industrial Banks related to Zhejiang Railways which focus on developing industries but an Agricultural Bank remains unestablished at this point.

Source D

The following is adapted from a book written by an American who served as a legal advisor in China: the book describes the social and economic conditions in China during the 1900s.

China’s vast territory and large population have resulted in only superficial economic interactions with the West, which can be said to have barely created a ripple. Even today, China remains much like it was several centuries ago—a predominantly agricultural country with a small amount of family industry. Its means of transportation are inadequate both in quality and quantity, making large-scale barter exchange impossible. Most communities not only rely primarily on agriculture but also operate independently, resisting outside influences. The way this populous nation lived two thousand years ago is still how it lives today.

Despite the efficiency of Chinese agricultural practices, they largely depend on favorable weather conditions for their descendants to thrive.Harvests are not guaranteed, and natural disasters such as floods or droughts can lead to widespreadfamine. Each family must rely on the labor of its members to survive, leaving them little time to concern themselves with others. To be honest, aside from labor, there is hardly any time left forother activities.

(a) According to Source A, what impact did banks bring to China. Cite relevant clues from Source C to explain your answer.

(3 marks)

(b) Identify and explain two structural problem China’s economy was facing in the 1900s. Explain your answer with references to Source D.

(4 marks)

(c) How useful are Sources C and D in reflecting China’s economic development in 1900-1911? Explain your answer with reference to Sources C and D and using your own knowledges.

(8 marks)

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Answer