Abstract: The chamber of commerce is a symbol of the modernization of Chinese associations. The series of reforms during the New Deal in the late Qing Dynasty， such as the initiation and promotion by the Ministry of Commerce， the response and cooperation of merchants， and the development of capitalism， propelled the chamber of commerce towards modernization. It gradually exhibited characteristics such as a comprehensive legal system， standardized institutional setup and operation， independence in business operations， and significant effects in promoting and protecting commerce. However， due to factors such as the unstable political situation， weak social foundation， and excessive involvement of chambers of commerce in politics， the path of modernization for chambers of commerce was fraught with twists and turns， exhibiting notable historical limitations.