France's Colony in China and Modern Zhanjiang (湛 江): Events, Memories, and Research

Abstract

120 years ago, in April 1898, French naval troops occupied Canton Bay (Kwang-chow-wan or Guangzhouwan) after French diplomats had secured from China the lease of the territory for 99 years. France’s new acquisition which was only 338 kilometres south-west of Hong Kong prompted Britain’s response to seek the lease of the New Territories. The initial idea of making Kwang-chow-wan a starting-point or centre of a French sphere-of-influence in South China was not realised resulting in an appreciable but rather modest economic and social development compared to the New Territories. Nevertheless, the French permitted local self-government to a certain extent, invested in urban projects and created modern facilities which were unknown in this part of China. After its return to China (1946), the territory was renamed Zhanjiang (湛 江) and developed quickly. In today’s Zhanjiang, P.R.C., strong efforts are made to foster cultural conservation and also to promote international academic research into the history of Kwang-chow-wan. The talk will introduce to Zhanjiang’s history and present, with an emphasis on presenting various historical architecture and relics of the French period.