票商与近代中国社会的转型

Bill merchants and transformation of modern Chinese society

票商适应商品经济的发展而出现 ,是近代中国银行业的先导。它诞生于鸦片战争前夕 ,因与清政府的特殊关系得以迅速发展。在长达一个多世纪里 ,票商建立全国汇兑网 ,服务工商钱户 ,为民族资本主义发展提供便利 ;兼营存放款业务 ,为民族工业招商融资 ,经营股本。它既是近代中国社会转型的积极参与者 ,又是社会转型的最直接的见证者 。

Bill merchants, emerged with the development of commodity economy before the Opium War, were the leaders in modern Chinese banking industry. They grew fast due to their special relations with the Qing government. They set up a national network of exchange shops and provided services for industry and commerce, which brought a great convenience for the development of national capitalism. They also opened the business of monetary deposit and capital stock, which could collect funds for the national industries. They were not only the participants but also the witnesses of the transformation of Chinese society. Consciously or unconsciously, they became the backbones of Chinese national industries and played a significant role in the transformational period in modern Chinese society.