海澄에서 厦門으로 ― 16~17세기 복건 해외무역 창구의 변화 ―

Abstract

This paper traces the process of the conversion of overseas trade channels in the Fujian region from the end of the 16th century to the end of the 17th century, focusing on the political and economic background surrounding it. Haicheng(海澄) was the only official overseas trade port at the end of the Ming Dynasty. Xiamen(厦門) was also one of the four maritime ports established by the Qing Empire in implementing the open sea policy after conquering Taiwan. Related studies dealt with the two harbor cities with considerable weight as external channels for the two early modern empires, the Ming and the Qing. In most cases, however, each city was analyzed in its historical context as a separate issue. Most studies did not treat the two cities as a continuous relationship. The two harbor cities are geographically very close and capable of similar functions within the region. In short, they are replaceable to each other. In the early 17th century, Xiamen has taken the status of the main harbor of the region instead of Haicheng, but the explanation of the background dynamics is still insufficient. Anhai(安海) is less renowned than the before-mentioned two port cities. However, recent studies of the Zheng group revealed that the first leader, Zheng Zhi-long(鄭芝龍), operated an exclusive smuggling network centered on Anhai for decades since he surrendered to the Ming empire. As the Zheng group gained official power, Anhai took over the control of the trade network from Haicheng, the existing trade center, and functioned as a transitional center of the Fujian overseas trade network until the Zheng group moved to the new center, Xiamen. Therefore, to accurately understand the transition from Haicheng to Xiamen, it is necessary to understand the functions performed and the status enjoyed by Anhai. The change between the three port cities for 120 years can be said to be the product of conflict, compromise, and confrontation between continental and maritime forces over the unprecedented economic interest called ‘the expansion of global silver trade’. In simple terms, it was linked directly with the rise and fall of the Zheng group. The transition from Haicheng to Anhai occurred for the Zheng group was conceived in the aftermath of the confrontation between the Spain Empire and the VOC over East Asian seas to take over the trade network with China. The transition from Anhai to Xiamen occurred during the massive political event, called “the Ming-Qing transition.” The Xiamen trade system was built during the post-processing process after the Qing Empire eliminated the Zheng group of Taiwan.