唐代廣州的經濟發展

Economic Development of Guangzhou in the Tang Dynasty

唐代是廣州地區經濟發展的重要時期，此時期廣州不但以其優越的地理位置，取代了交州在海上絲路的終點站地位，而成為當時第一大外貿港口，在農業、手工業及商業貿易等方面均相當地發達，同時人口也相對地快速地增加，並成為唐廷極為關注之地。而以廣州地區的經濟發展為研究對象的主要原因，在於廣州地區不僅是唐代最大外貿港口，且為中西交通的重要孔道，在經濟發展方面亦有長足的進步。在其後宋元乃至清末時期，廣州仍然保持在中西交通上的關鍵地位，並從而發揮在經濟上的影響力。本文從唐代廣州地區的農業、手工業、商業貿易發展及交通條件等方面加以探究，並且對於市舶使的設置、職權及廣州的胡商等課題，亦據相關史料加以辨析，期望藉以明瞭唐代廣州社會經濟的總體發展及其影響。

Tang Dynasty was an important period of economic development for Guangzhou areas. With its superior geographic location Guangzhou replaced Jiaozhou as the terminal of maritime silk-road and became the biggest trading port at the time. It was equally well developed in industries such as agricultures, handicrafts and commercial trading. Guangzhou's population increased rapidly and became the center of attention in the eyes of the imperial court of Tang dynasty. Motives for taking Guangzhou's economic development as the research subject are as follows: Not only was Guangzhou the largest trading port, but also an important sino-western gateway where economic developments were well underway. In subsequent periods of Song, Yuan and late Ching dynasties, Guangzhou continued to play a vital position in sino-western exchanges and wielded its economic power. This paper investigates Guangzhou's agricultures, handicrafts, development in commercial trading and its transportation conditions during Tang dynasty. It also identifies the position and capacity of maritime trade commissioner and discusses issues regarding foreign merchants in Guangzhou areas based on relevant historical documents. It is intended to make sense of Guangzhou's overall socio-economic development and its effects in Tang Dynasty.