Chinese Qing Dynasty railway company share certificate

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This is an un-issued share certificate for the Yunnan-Sichuan Tang Yue Railroad Company. It was due to be issued in 1909 during the short reign of the last Chinese Emperor. The issue was approved by the provincial governors of Yunnan and Guizhou, and was to be 20 million shares in blocks of 5 Liang – a total of four million certificates being issued with each certificate worth 5 Liang, the silver-based currency unit (round coin with a square hole) in use at the time and legal tender until 1911. The artwork is worth examining (click photo to enlarge), Chinese dragons in the skies above and a steam engine of the period running through the Yunnan countryside below.

This China cultural article is one of a regular series we are running at China Briefing. Conducting business in China is more than just legal and tax advice, one has to “feel” the country and its rhythms as well in order to properly advise clients on conducting business in this massive country. These China cultural articles are intended to assist with a greater business understanding of the background to doing business in China, and are provided by the research team at Dezan Shira & Associates. To view the China business cultural archives please click here.