Financial Geography in Xikang Region During the Late Qing and the Republic of China Era

Abstract

After a series of economic and social changes in the late Qing era, a new scene emerged in Xikang-Tibetan region with Kangding (Dajianlu) as the commercial and trade center. The commercial and trade foundation was more solidified when Kangding became the regional financial center. Since the Republican era, with the radiation and drive of the new financial center in Sichuan-Chongqing region, partial modernization of financial instruments appeared in Xikang region, followed by gradual replacement of old currency by new currency. Through the establishment and expansion of Xikang provincial bank and the promotion and maturity of rural cooperative finance during the anti-Japanese war period, Kham’s finance when Kangding served as the regional financial center was fully incorporated into the new financial geographic landscape in Sichuan-Chongqing region.