The change in mode of economy of Fujian region during Tang-Song period =

Abstract

Fujian was a backward and barren region before Tang dynasty. However, it experienced rapid economic growth during Tang-Song period (A.D. 607-1279) which led it to be one of the most prosperous regions in China. A large number of empirical research accounted for the growth and high prosperity of Fujian in this period, most of which were conducted in a qualitative approach while in-depth quantitative analysis still remains inadequate. Moreover, the investigation is mostly confined in certain high-growing areas and failed to provide a complete picture of regional interactions within Fujian. As those studies rarely focused on economic perspectives, this leaves much room for further exploration.

In this study, both quantitative and qualitative analyses were emphasized and their consistency was examined in order to compose a more realistic picture of Fujian’s economy. Numerical data recorded by the government or intellectuals which was used in this study for quantitative measure was verified and, if necessary, rectified to provide an accurate explanation for the development of Fujian. Qualitative-wise, literatures, official documents and poems written by individuals who have visited or served in the Fujian region, as well as the written record from official documents of local or regional government were also the fundamental sources of this research.

It was noticeable in the study that the continuous growth of economic status of Fujian is attributed to the success in the transformation of its economy from agricultural self-sustainable to export-based with a high dependence on overseas trading. However, this change in the mode of economy was brought about by the pressure of the continued influx of refugee during the instable period in Tang-Song since the population was unable to survive solely by food farming. The reliance of sea transport in Fujian was also a determining factor which favored the growth of the coastal area.

Though the development of Fujian is related to the growth of overseas trading, the growth was imbalanced. Coastal areas, where higher degree of agglomeration of economic activities was attained, enjoyed a higher prosperity than inland regions. Prosperous economic activities in the coastal areas also revealed an expanding influence to the nearby regions which cope was in line with the growth pole theory in a certain extent. Furthermore, the growth of certain industries in continental areas was restricted or even prohibited by the inappropriate measure and policy imposed by the government. Until the end of Song dynasty, no improvement in the imbalance situation was found and no appropriate measure has been taken by the government.

This research demonstrated that the imbalanced regional growth of Fujian stemmed from the change in the mode of economy of Fujian. Moreover, though southern Fujian manifested its importance as a core engine of the whole regional growth, it also showed economic similarities with the upper coastal region. Thus, in terms of regional economics, investigation on coastal area was undervalued when compared with that of the southern part.