民初上海总商会议事厅的筹建与落成

The Preparation and Completion of the Conference Hall of the Shanghai General Chamber of Commerce during the Early Republic of China

辛亥革命后上海总商会为改善办公条件,“以壮观瞻”,向各业募捐修建议事厅。其间虽屡遭困难,仍不改初衷,藉发售公债解决经费缺口,坚持按照原设计方案完成修建工程,并精心策划举行了极为隆重的开幕典礼,产生了较大的社会影响。议事厅的筹建、落成开幕及其使用,既体现了上海总商会在自我形象塑造、经费募集和成果展示等多方面的能量,也反映出近代中国“第一商会”的独特气魄。

After the Revolution of 1911,in order to improve their working conditions and to "give their workplace a better appearance,"the Shanghai General Chamber of Commerce solicited donations from various industries to construct a conference hall. Despite the difficulties they had suffered repeatedly during that time,the Shanghai General Chamber of Commerce did not change their original intention. They solved the funding shortfall by selling public bond to complete the construction project according to the original design plan. They elaborately planned and held an extremely grand opening ceremony,producing a remarkable social impact. The preparation,completion,opening,and usage of the conference hall reflected not only the ability of the Shanghai General Chamber of Commerce in its public relations,fund raising,and display of achievement,but also the entrepreneurship of the members of the "First & Greatest Chamber of Commerce"in modern China.