Transition of Administrative System of Shanghai International Settlement in 1920-30

The Mixed Court and Extra-Settlement Road in Shanghai International Settlement show us that there was no strict restriction or limitation of influence of the administration of International Settlement, since it could easily bypass physical boundary of the settlement, or even limitation for settlement administration. However, this system faced critical challenge from 1925, when foreign police of the International Settlement fired upon Chinese protesters. The Shanghai Chamber of Commerce almost immediately addressed their 13 demands, including unconditional and complete return of the Shanghai Mixed Court, though western ambassadors at pekin legation quarter did not agreed this. nevertheless, in Shanghai, the Shanghai Municipal Council tried to make common interest between westerners and prominent Chinese. At last from 1927, the Shanghai Mixed Court was abolished, and the Shanghai Provisional Court replaced it. The new court maitained many previous regulations and customs, and the influence of the police of the International Settlement still could not be ignored. However, Chinese people in and around the Settlement continued to demand their representation in settlement administration, and therefore, the present administrative system had no other way but to change itself. The construction of extra-settlement roads and administration of the SMC upon extra-settlement road areas were still continued in 1920s. SMC sent its police to maintain order in those areas, and took special taxes for supplying water or electricity. But the Chinese local government in Chapei area strengthened its influences in the same areas, by sending their own police forces and supplying their own city infrastructure. The Shanghai Chamber of Commerce, including in their 13 demands, requested to complete ban of constructing new extra-settlement road and return already built extra-settlement road. SMC tried to maintain status quo to defend their own interest, but they actually had no any counter-measure. Finally in July 1931 the SMC and the Shanghai local government made an provisional agreement that the local government take full right to police the areas and supply city infrastructure, while the SMC could send their police. Nevertheless, with the Japanese consul’s disagree, this agreement never accepted, and the whole matter was delayed until the Sino-Japanese war started. In result, after the May Thirtieth Movement, the existing administrative system of the Shanghai International Settlement was inevitably transformed into totally different form. It had to accept the Chinese representation in the SMC, while abandoned its influences in the Mixed Court and in the extra-settlement road areas.