This study examines the issue of the foundation of Historical Museum of 13 Hong’s, which is currently in progress in order to address the changes in thirteen (commercial) factories site after the port opening and the representation of thirteen factories in China recently
First, the opening of port Guangzhou and changes in thirteen factories site are examined. Since the 1850’s, the role of Guangzhou in overseas trading was gradually transferred to Shanghai and Hong Kong. Thirteen factories was no longer a foreign trade base as attractive as before. Due to the second Opium War in 1856, its history came to an end accordingly.
Second, the loss of thirteen factories site after the second Opium War, Guangdong Shi San Hang Street(廣東十三行街) went through a transit into Guangdong Shi San Hang Road(廣東十三行路) in the process of modernization, and then Guangzhou Cultural Park was established at thirteen factories site after the foundation of the People’s Republic of China. The grounds and causes in the process are examined in this study.
Lastly, the representation of thirteen factories in China recently are addressed. The foundation of Historical Museum of 13 Hong’s is in close relation to the rebuilding of Guangzhou Cultural Park at thirteen factories site. Celebrating its 60th anniversary on March 7, 2012, the administrators of the Cultural Park made known the position to the public, emphasizing that the historic memories of the Cultural Park themselves were of great significance to the people in Guangzhou. On the other hand, experts in historic culture circles who insist the foundation of Historical Museum of 13 Hong’s that since the current Cultural Park is a mere resting place for the elderly and present and retired workers, the ’placeness’ must be restored by establishing Historical Museum of 13 Hong’s at the Cultural Park where thirteen factories site used to be before the port opening.
The argument of the historic culture circles was practiced when the foundation of Historical Museum of 13 Hong’s was included as part of the social economy development plan of China from 2011 to 2015. The local government of Liwan District(where the Cultural Park is located), which is the competent authorities of the Cultural Park, endeavors to take full advantage of the foundation of Historical Museum of 13 Hong’s for the commercial interests of Guangzhou old city. In accord with ‘125(十二五)’ regulation, the reconstruction of Guangdong Shi San Hang street and the Cultural Park became a reality. The issue of the method and scope of the reconstruction, however, has yet to be addressed in consideration of the practical conditions.