Space, Trust, and Co-governance: A Micro-historical Study of the Interaction Practices in Multi-ethnic Merchant Guild Halls in Beijing during the Qing Dynasty

Abstract

As the political center of the Qing Dynasty and a hub for multi-ethnic communication, Beijing attracted merchants from all ethnic groups across the country, and merchant associations became the core spatial carrier for multi-ethnic interaction. This article takes micro historical research as the core method, combined with literature review and field research, selects representative relics such as Huguang Guild Hall, Shanxi Guild Hall, and Hui Guild Hall, and explores the macro development trend and micro communication practice of multi-ethnic merchant guilds from three dimensions: spatial distribution, organizational operation, and interpersonal interaction. Research has found that the multi-ethnic merchant associations in Beijing during the Qing Dynasty formed a spatial pattern of "geography as the foundation, business ties as the pulse, and ethnicity as the soul". Through systems such as meeting preferences, decision-making, and dispute resolution, a cross ethnic trust network was constructed. Their co governance practice not only maintained the interests of the merchant community, but also promoted the integration of multi-ethnic cultures. At the same time, the existing guild hall sites are facing challenges such as imbalanced preservation and loss of materials, and need to achieve historical value regeneration through graded protection, educational transformation, and cultural tourism integration.