近代海关与沿海灯塔的修建--以琼海关为例

Modern Customs and the Construction of Coastal Lighthouses--A Case Study of Qiong Customs

随着近代中国通商口岸的开放,中西贸易往来日渐频繁,以海关总税务司赫德为代表的近代海关管理者为提高贸易效率,改善航运条件,保障船只的顺利通航,修建了遍及中国沿海的灯塔。以琼海关为例,沿海灯塔的修建、维护和管理,客观上改善了航行条件,促进了当地贸易的发展,推动了航务近代化和城市近代化。海关修建沿海灯塔为中国的近代化做出了一定推动,但仍被视作西方侵略势力的象征。

With the opening of China’s trading ports in modern times,the trade between China and the West became increasingly frequent.In order to improve trade efficiency and shipping conditions as well as ensure the smooth navigation of ships,the modern customs administrators represented by Hurd,the General Tax Department of the Customs,built lighthouses all over China’s coastal areas.Taking Qiong Customs as an example,the construction,maintenance and management of coastal lighthouses objectively improved navigation conditions,promoted the development of local trade,and facilitated the modernization of navigation and urbanization.The construction of coastal lighthouses by the customs has contributed to the modernization of China,but it is still regarded as a symbol of Western aggression.