Statue of Zhang Jian stands in front of the reconstructed Tonghai Kenmu Co. [Photo provided to nantong.gov.cn]

The Tonghai Kenmu Co in Qidong, Nantong, East China's Jiangsu province, opened to the public on Nov 19 after 15 months of reconstruction.

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

To promote the entrepreneurial spirit of Zhang, Qidong authorities decided to reconstruct the enterprise on site last year.

An aerial view of the Tonghai Kenmu Co. [Photo provided to nantong.gov.cn]

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

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.

The Muchou Hall at the Tonghai Kenmu Co. [Photo provided to nantong.gov.cn]

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.