Statue of Zhang Jian stands in front of the reconstructed Tonghai Kenmu Co. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

Tonghai Kenmu Co in Qidong, Nantong, East China's Jiangsu province is the earliest agricultural share-holding enterprise in China.

Set up by Zhang Jian (1853-1926), a renowned industrial magnate, in 1901, the enterprise was expected to provide raw cotton to Dasheng Cotton Mills and help local poverty-stricken farmers.

The reconstructed Tonghai Kenmu Co. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

To promote the entrepreneurial spirit of Zhang, Qidong authorities decided to reconstruct the enterprise on site and the project is now basically completed.

The reconstructed enterprise includes a Muchou Hall, a farming affairs hall, wing rooms, a grain-sunning ground, and other authentic features.

The office area of the reconstructed Tonghai Kenmu Co. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

The enterprise is divided into three parts. The western part will be used for working, reporting, and catering, the middle part reproduces the scenes of Tonghai Kenmu Co in those years, and the eastern part uses photos, videos, and material objects to display the development of the enterprise.

Photo taken in front of the former Tonghai Kenmu Co. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

Zhang in 1894 excelled in the official recruitment exams after years of effort. However, after the First Sino-Japanese War that same year, Zhang gave up the civil service to explore how China could become independent.

Advocating the concept of saving China with industries, Zhang established an industrial zone in Tangzha town, making Nantong one of the first industrial bases in China.