Why was the first railway in China demolished by the Qing government?

In the year when Zhan Tianyou chose the railway, the Qing government ordered the demolition of the first operating railway in China: Wusong Railway.

1876 One day, Shanghai residents witnessed the train entering the city. At that time, the citizens were shocked because China people had never seen a train. Built by the British, this railway is the first railway in China: Wusong Railway.

However, this railway frightened the Qing court. On the grounds of "cutting my mountains and rivers, damaging my fields, hindering my feng shui and occupying my business and people's livelihood", the authorities redeemed the Wusong Railway from the British for 285,200 silver, and then demolished it. This shows the backwardness and corruption of Qing government thought.

Extended data

Article 1 Railway construction background:

China's railway construction began in the late Qing Dynasty. After more than a century of construction and development, by 20 19, the total operating mileage of China railway has reached 13 10000 kilometers, ranking second in the world. Among them, the high-speed railway is nearly 30 thousand kilometers, ranking first in the world. The double-track rate and electrification rate of China railway reach 57% and 67%, ranking second and first in the world respectively.

In China, railway is an important national infrastructure and popular means of transportation, and it is in the backbone position in China's comprehensive transportation system. China has a vast territory, a large population and uneven distribution of resources, so the economical and fast railway generally has great advantages and has become a widely used mode of transportation.

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