Late Qing Maritime Defense (Studies on Ideology and Institutions)

Author: Wang Hongbin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-12-01
Features: This book primarily explores the technological transfer at the Fuzhou Shipyard, the advantages and disadvantages of the administrative management system, as well as the gains and losses of the wage system, accounting, and auditing systems. Additionally, it analyzes the process of formulating regulations on civilian ship management by the Qing government, pointing out that such regulations not only hindered the modernization of Chinese merchant shipping but also had a negative impact on the technological development of naval vessels. The book mainly employs analytical, synthetic, and comparative methods. By examining the maritime defense thoughts, policies, systems, and military shipbuilding and repair systems during different periods of the late Qing Dynasty, it clarifies their evolutionary trajectories, identifies the subjective and objective reasons for the setbacks in maritime defense construction during the modernization process, evaluates their merits and demerits objectively, summarizes the lessons learned from the late Qing maritime defense construction, and offers historical insights for the development of modern Chinese maritime defense and marine industries. By analyzing the contradictory maritime defense concepts in different periods, it enhances the maritime defense awareness of the Chinese nation. By comparing the similarities and differences between Chinese and foreign military production systems, it reveals the strengths and weaknesses of late Qing military enterprises. These research findings hold theoretical innovation significance, not only deepening the overall understanding of modern maritime defense policies but also providing certain reference value for current maritime defense construction and the development of marine industries. The writing process of this book was essentially one of continuous pruning. According to the original design, maritime geography, the purchase of ships and cannons, and the production of firearms were all intended to be included in this research topic. Some content was too extensive for the book to fully cover, while others, though drafted, were deemed immature for publication and had to be temporarily set aside.