This book is in two volumes: Volume I focuses on China's past, from the
beginning of Chinese civilization to the 1911 Revolution, mainly
reflecting the changes in the country, its population and territory,
national features, philosophies, religions and ways of life, as well as
its contributions to politics, economy and culture.
Volume II focuses
on contemporary China, from 1921 to 2008, mainly reflecting on China's
independence, changing perspectives in foreign affairs, national
unification especially the country's reform and opening-up - and
achievements related to its modernization.
This book is for readers
who wish to learn more about China, and introduces Chinese history by
recounting distinctive stories of different ages.
Here's a brief yet
comprehensive look at the peaks and valleysof the country's vibrant
past, a concise update on the fastest-growing economy in the world, and a
sneak peek into China'sfuture prospects. Here is China as never
revealed before
About Author
Xie Chuntao was born in Linshu
County,Shandong Province．in 1963．In 1982 he obtained a bachelor's degree
in education from Shandong NormaI University,and then a master's degree
in law from Zhejiang University and doctorate in law from Beijing's
Renmin University of China in1988．
He has been teaching and doing
research on the history of the Communist Party of China(CPC)at the Party
School of the CentraI Committee ofthe CPC since l 988，and lS now a
professor and theDeputy Director of the Teaching and Research Department
of CPC History．
As an executive counciImember and the
SecretaryGeneraI of the History Societyofthe CPC，he also serves as
aguest professor and part-timeresearcher at many institutionsof higher
learnin9，includingTianjin's Nankai University．His major works include
Turmoil of the Great LeapForward and A Brief Historvof the 1959 Mount
Lushan Meeting．
But
Roosevelt was dissatisfied with Chiang, as the latter seemed to be
half-hearted about the struggle against the Japa- nese invaders. "As a
matter of fact," he said, "there's only one point to our work in
China——we must make China continue fighting, to distract the Japanese
army. And America is sure that to support China is to protect our own
security and interests, and that's necessary to the Allies' cause."
Roosevelt
hoped this meeting would enhance China's standing as one of the four
great powers （China, America, Russia and Britain）, and provide symbolic
support for Chiang. From November 21 to 22, 1943 representatives from
China, America and Britain arrived in Cairo. Chiang held extensive talks
with Roosevelt and Churchill from the 22nd to the 26th. Since Burma had
fallen, China was facing extreme difficul- ties on the battlefield and
so it was very important to reopen the China-Burma Road. Chiang Kai-shek
suggested that the counter-attack in Burma required Britain to transfer
its navy to Bengal, so that Burma could be taken back by both naval and
land forces, and the China-Burma Road could be opened again to serve as
China's supply line from the southwest. Churchill, however, was in
favor of finishing the war in Europe first. The issue of a joint
counter-attack against the Japanese in Burma was left in the air.
On
the evening of November 23, Chiang and Roosevelt held a long secret
discussion about China's resistance to Japan and Sino-American
relations.
Regarding China's standing as a world power, Roosevelt
thought that the country should be treated as one of the four powers
with an equal voice to the other three in major world affairs. Chiang
expressed his enthusiastic agreement. Roosevelt also suggested that the
Republic of China take back Manchuria.
PrefaceIn
recent years, China's reform and opening-up movement, as well as her
rapid development, have drawn increasing attention from foreign coun-
tries anxious for an insight into what has always been a mysterious land
for them. At the same time, China needs to open up to the international
commu- nity as much as possible, so as to integrate herself smoothly
with the rest of the world.
However, rarely do we see books on
China's evolution by local authors becoming popular with foreign
readers, and there are even fewer widely-read books that cover Chinese
history, culture, current situation and challenges. This is why I
readily agreed when Mrs Zhang Haiou, deputy chief editor of New World
Press, asked me to compile a book about Chinese history. I knew I would
meet many challenges, but it would be worthwhile.
The idea for this
book came from Mr Lin Liangqi, former deputy chief editor of China
International Publishing Group. He has worked on media and cultural
exchanges between China and the outside world, and is well experienced
in this field.
