Abstract: In 1937, the Bureau of Industry of the Shanghai Public Concession attempted to increase taxes in the concession on the grounds of financial exhaustion and insolvency, which aroused dissatisfaction and resistance from the general public and many institutions. Under pressure from all sides, the Bureau of Industry decided to postpone the implementation of the increase for half a year. Although the anti-tax increase was not completely successful because of the political coercion of the concession authorities, the people were highly united in the anti-tax increase process. A series of effective measures were taken, and limited victories were achieved. This event reflected the awakening of the public awareness of national rights and, to some extent, stimulated the increase of anti-imperialist sentiment among the citizens. The research can help deepen the academic understanding of Sinoforeign relations in the public concession before the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression.

Key words: public concession, the Bureau of Industry, oppose tax increase