Imperial Chinese Telegraph Administration
Encyclopedia
The Imperial Telegraph Administration (ITA) or Imperial Chinese Telegraph Administration (ICTA) was a Qing
-era government-controlled corporation (spec. guandu shangban) supervised by Sheng Xuanhuai
.
The ITA was established in AD 1881 and swiftly given a monopoly on Chinese telegraphy.
By 1900, the ITA administered 14,000 miles of telegraph wires and supervised another 20,000 miles under local control. The same year, it absorbed the infant Chinese telephone network started in Nanjing
.
It was nationalized in 1902 to allow otherwise unprofitable usage rates and expansion of the network or to gain control of its profits. The ITA was then absorbed by the newly formed Ministry of Posts and Communications
in 1906. Following nationalization, control alternated between Sheng and his political rival Tang Shaoyi
.
Qing Dynasty
The Qing Dynasty was the last dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912 with a brief, abortive restoration in 1917. It was preceded by the Ming Dynasty and followed by the Republic of China....
-era government-controlled corporation (spec. guandu shangban) supervised by Sheng Xuanhuai
Sheng Xuanhuai
Sheng Xuanhuai , November 4, 1844—April 27, 1916, 盛宣懷) was the Minister of Transportation during the Qing Dynasty. He is also known as Sheng Gongbao ....
.
The ITA was established in AD 1881 and swiftly given a monopoly on Chinese telegraphy.
By 1900, the ITA administered 14,000 miles of telegraph wires and supervised another 20,000 miles under local control. The same year, it absorbed the infant Chinese telephone network started in Nanjing
Nanjing
' is the capital of Jiangsu province in China and has a prominent place in Chinese history and culture, having been the capital of China on several occasions...
.
It was nationalized in 1902 to allow otherwise unprofitable usage rates and expansion of the network or to gain control of its profits. The ITA was then absorbed by the newly formed Ministry of Posts and Communications
Ministry of Posts and Communications
The Ministry of Posts and Communications or Youchuanbu was a Qing and Republican Chinese ministry responsible for mail and telecommunications and for the Chinese rail network....
in 1906. Following nationalization, control alternated between Sheng and his political rival Tang Shaoyi
Tang Shaoyi
Táng Shàoyí , was a Chinese diplomat, politician. He was the father-in-law of Wellington Koo and Lee Seng Gee.-Career:...
.
See also
- Qing dynastyQing DynastyThe Qing Dynasty was the last dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912 with a brief, abortive restoration in 1917. It was preceded by the Ming Dynasty and followed by the Republic of China....
- 100 Day Reforms
- Telecommunications in the People's Republic of China