Intercommunication and Fusion:The Business Practices and Historical Contributions of Merchants Heading to Xizang and Yunnan during the Republic of China Era
During the Republic of China era,the activities of mainland Chinese merchants heading to Xizang and the resulting interethnic interactions with various local Tibetan groups had profound impacts on the regional economy,society,and culture.This article,through the examination of scattered historical materials and trade data,combined with on-site research and oral interviews,aims to refine and deepen our understand-ing of mainland Chinese merchants who went to Xizang and Yunnan during the Republic of China era.These merchants from Yunnan to Xizang engaged in both sitting and traveling trade,mostly concentrated in the Lhasa and Chamdo areas,traversing the Yunnan-Xizang Tea Horse Ancient Road,dealing in commodities such as Pu'er tea,copperware,medicinal herbs,woolen fabrics,hides,and local products.They actively par-ticipated in ethnic and cross-border trade during the Republic of China era,especially after the outbreak of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.The strategic location of the Yunnan-Xizang Tea Horse Ancient Road facilitated a continuous influx of various goods into the interior,leading Yunnan merchants on this ancient road to actively engage in material transport and trade activities,making significant contributions to the War of Resistance Against Japanese aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.Exploring the business practices and historical contributions of merchants heading to Xizang and Yunnan during that time can serve as valuable experience and reference for contemporary interethnic interactions,exchanges,fusion,and the strengthening of the historical perspective of the Chinese nation.
The period of the Republic of ChinaXizangYunnan merchantsMutual assistance and intercom-municationEthnic integration
NETL
NSTL
万方数据
