With the publication of the English translation of "Thirty Years of Chinese History Studies," foreign scholars can now have easier access to and better understand Chinese history.
The book includes imperial and modern China, covering the initial stages of the economic reforms. It was unveiled by the China Social Science Press during the 22nd International Congress of Historical Sciences held last week in Jinan, Shandong Province.
The reference was written by 22 authoritative voices of different Chinese history periods. It mirrors the achievements of China as well as the rapid changes that happened in its societies.
For Zhang Haipeng, the chief of the Association of Chinese Historians and lead author of the book, overcoming language barrier is the first step in letting other scholars learn about the country's rich history.
Zhang also considers the book's English version as a "milestone in Sino-foreign academic communication of historiography." Its Chinese edition was first published in 2008.
It was in 2005, when the same congress was held in Sydney, Australia, that scholars from across the globe have seen the importance of having more Chinese history references translated into English.
Zhang further recounted: "When we held academic meetings in Beijing, we also found overseas scholars knew little about our research methodologies."
For Zhao Jianying, the head of the China Social Science Press, the book represents the highest level of historical studies about the Chinese mainland.
Meanwhile, French historian Robert Frank, the secretary-general of International Committee of Historical Sciences, has strongly recommended the material to fellow Western historians.
Frank also noted during the conference: "When you talk about a nation's history, you also have to insert it into a global perspective. That means you need to integrate the history of others (in such studies)."