Encounter, interactions, and negotiations between Chinese merchants and American businessmen : the Associated Chambers of Commerce of Pacific Coast visited China in 1910 and the United Chambers of Commerce of China visited the United States in 1915 = 中美商賈的相遇、互動與談判 : 1910年美國實業團訪華與1915年中華實業團訪美

Abstract

This thesis examines the role of merchant-led exchanges in shaping the early twentieth century Sino-American relations by focusing on the reciprocal visits of the Associated Chambers of Commerce of the Pacific Coast to China in 1910 and the United Chambers of Commerce of China to the United States in 1915. Tracing the U.S.-China commercial engagement interactions, the thesis situates these landmark visits within the broader context of American enthusiasm for Chinese markets and the evolution of the “Open Door” Policy. Despite political tensions, such as those arising from the Chinese Exclusion Act, many Chinese merchants still viewed the United States as a relatively open and constructive partner and sought American collaboration in modernization and economic development. This thesis draws upon an extensive available collection of primary sources, official reports, personal diaries, government documents, and mass media coverage in both English and Chinese to reconstruct the planning, execution, and public reception of these exchanges. The analysis is structured around three thematic pillars - Encounter, Interactions and Negotiations – examines the motivations, experiences, and outcomes of both delegations. By integrating comparative perspectives and highlighting both cooperation and contestation, the thesis reveals how business leaders on both sides navigated complex political landscapes, pursued joint ventures, and shaped public perceptions of bilateral relations between China and the United States in the early twentieth century.