歐戰時期中國對外經濟關係整體不佳的情況下，中美進出口貿易卻能脫穎而出，且美國在華投資大為成長，成為近代中美經濟發展的一個關鍵階段。此與中美兩國的經濟活動、技術引進和人才交流所形成的關係，環環相扣。諸如美國大學俱樂部、美國在華商會、中美工程師協會等組織，而其中商人團體的「美國亞洲協會」因發行有固定期刊，最能反映美商在華的主張及其作用。 本文探討一次世界大戰對美國在中國市場的發展提供怎樣的契機？特別著重中美商人、企業及利益團體在經貿活動與技術引進方面的聯繫互動，這些關係網絡如何成為一戰時期中美經濟發展的重要推力，並由此造就一戰以後到1930年代中美經濟關係發展巔峰的一個轉捩起點。

The outbreak of WWI provided a great opportunity for the development of Economic Relationship between China and America. There were many business and economic networks at work, such as American University Club, American Chamber of Commerce of China, the Association of Chinese and American Engineer and so on. American Asiatic Association was absolutely the influential one This paper studies how the First World War had affected trade relations between China and the United States with special focus on the role of American Asiatic Association in promoting closer links between Chinese and American enterprises and businesses. This paper also examines how the networking through the interest groups such as American Asiatic Association had strengthened the bilateral trade and economic developments between the two nations.