Abstract: To hold commodity exhibitions and various kinds of commodity contests (i.e.early form of fairs) was one of the economical measures taken by Zhang Zhi-dong when governing Hubei Province at the beginning of the last century, and was also an important part of the Hubei New Policy. By the rough draft of Zhang Zhi-dong and the beginning of early fairs in Hubei and its profound influence on the later development, Zhang Zhi-dong had initiated commodity contests in Hubei and Hunan, even in the whole China by his practical achievements about commodity exhibitions and expositions. The fact that in the Late Qing Dynasty, Hubei was once the first, comparing with other provinces in economic development, and had many innovations in the early exhibition industry was attributed to Zhang Zhi-dong's “foreknowledge” and the “brightness”.

Key words: Zhang Zhi-dong, commodity contests, “Hubei New Policy”